To upgrade the edition of your existing SQL Server instance, use the Edition Upgrade option within the SQL Server Installation Center's Maintenance section.
When you have an existing installation of SQL Server and wish to upgrade it to a different edition – for example, moving from SQL Server Standard to SQL Server Enterprise to access more features – this process is handled directly through the SQL Server setup tools.
Upgrading Your SQL Server Edition
The process for performing a SQL Server edition upgrade is integrated into the SQL Server Installation Center, providing a guided experience to transition your existing instance to a new edition.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these specific steps to upgrade the edition of your SQL Server instance, based on the SQL Server setup process:
- Open SQL Server Installation Center: Start by launching the SQL Server Installation Center application on the server where SQL Server is installed. You can typically find this application in the Microsoft SQL Server program group in the Windows Start Menu.
- Select Maintenance: In the SQL Server Installation Center window, locate and select the Maintenance option from the left-hand navigation pane or the main action area. This section contains various tools for managing installed SQL Server components.
- Choose Edition Upgrade: Within the Maintenance options, select Edition Upgrade. This action will launch the Edition Upgrade wizard, which will guide you through the rest of the process, including selecting the specific instance to upgrade and providing the product key for the target edition.
Key Considerations During the Upgrade
The edition upgrade process includes automated checks and may require specific actions:
- Setup Support Files: SQL Server Setup is designed to be self-sufficient. If it determines that additional setup support files are needed for the upgrade, it will automatically install them for you.
- Computer Restart: You might be prompted to restart your computer during the setup process, particularly if support files were installed or significant changes were made to system components. It is essential to restart your computer if instructed before proceeding further with the upgrade or concluding the installation. This ensures that all prerequisite installations and system changes are fully applied.
Edition Upgrade Process Summary
Here is a brief overview of the navigation within the SQL Server Installation Center for performing an edition upgrade:
| Step | Action | Location in SQL Server Installation Center |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Open Installation Center | N/A (Initial Application Launch) |
| 2 | Go to Maintenance | Main Menu / Navigation Pane |
| 3 | Select Edition Upgrade | Maintenance Options |
| 4 | Follow Wizard Instructions | Edition Upgrade Wizard |
This method is specifically for changing the edition of an already installed SQL Server instance (e.g., switching from Developer to Enterprise). Upgrading to a newer version (e.g., SQL Server 2019 to 2022) involves a different process, typically an in-place upgrade or migration.
