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SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Database Size Limit Increased to 10GB

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Great news for SQL Server Express users today!

We increased the maximum database size in SQL Server 2008 R2 Express from 4GB to 10GB.

You can try it out today – just go to SQL Server 2008 R2 Download Page and select “SQL Server 2008 R2 Express” from the menu on the left side of the page:

https://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2008/en/us/R2Downloads.aspx

 

FAQ

Is the database size limit increased in all editions of SQL Server 2008 R2 Express?

Yes, SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Tools and SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services will allow 10GB databases as well.

What about CPU and memory limits? Are any other limits changed in SQL Server 2008 R2 Express?

No, the database size limit is the only limit we updated in SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.  SQL Server 2008 R2 Express is still limited to 1 CPU and 1 GB or RAM.

Was the database size limit changed for previous versions of SQL Server Express?

No, the database size limit in previous versions of SQL Server Express (including SQL Server 2005 Express and SQL Server 2008 Express) stays unchanged at 4GB.

 

- Krzysztof Kozielczyk, Program Manager for SQL Server Express

Comments

  • Anonymous
    April 28, 2010
    Hello, Good to know about the increase in Database Size limit to 10GB instead of 4GB in Express editions. But what about the Processor and Memory limits in Sql Server 2008 R2 express editions? I know in earlier versions i.e 2005 and 2008 versions of express editions there was a limit of 1 processor and 1GB Memory. Is it still same in Sql Server 2008 R2 express editions?
  • Rohan Reddy G
  • Anonymous
    April 28, 2010
    Hello Rohan, There are no changes to CPU or memory limits. I updated the FAQ section to reflect it. Thanks for catching this omission up.
  • Krzysztof Kozielczyk, Program Manager for SQL Server Express

  • Anonymous
    May 01, 2010
    1 MB of RAM! :)

  • Anonymous
    May 03, 2010
    Fixed the typo in memory limit description (was 1 MB instead of 1 GB). Peter B, thanks for pointing this out :-)

  • Krzysztof Kozielczyk, Program Manager for SQL Server Express

  • Anonymous
    May 25, 2010
    When evaluating if I should use this option or use the full version, is there anything I should know about the automated back scripts or transaction log management?

  • Anonymous
    June 02, 2010
    Hi, This page (www.microsoft.com/.../editions-compare.aspx) does not indicated the new limit for 10 G of SQL Server 2008 R2 Express database. It's a mistake ?

  • Anonymous
    June 02, 2010
    Laurent - thanks for id'ing this bug.  It is being fixed now.  

  • Anonymous
    June 02, 2010
    Laurent - thanks for id'ing this bug.  It is being fixed now.   -Eric King, SQL Server Marketing

  • Anonymous
    June 02, 2010
    Laurent - thanks for id'ing this bug.  It is being fixed now.   -Eric King, SQL Server Marketing

  • Anonymous
    May 02, 2011
    This page doesn't indicate the new limit too www.microsoft.com/.../express.aspx "Limitations SQL Server Express supports 1 physical processor, 1 GB memory, and 4 GB storage"

  • Anonymous
    May 08, 2011
    What is the maximum size of .mdf and .ldf file in swl express 2008 R2 free edition ?

  • Anonymous
    June 09, 2011
    Is the database size of 10GB based on the .mdf file or both the .mdf and .ldf? Thanks.

  • Anonymous
    June 11, 2011
    En el año 2010, desestime la utlización de SQL Server Express 2008 por que solo soportaba instalación de tipo "LocalHost", no podia instalarse en un Windows XP y conectar cleintes via OBDC. Decidí entonces por MySQL. Este problema esta resuelto en SQLServer Express 2008 R2 ???. Gracias.

  • Anonymous
    June 11, 2011
    In 2010, dismiss the utlización SQL Server Express 2008 installation that only supported type "LocalHost", could not be installed on a Windows XP and connect via ODBC cleint. I decided then MySQL. This problem is resolved in SQLServer Express 2008 R2??. Thanks.

  • Anonymous
    November 01, 2011
    Is there a query that will give me a database size limit?

  • Anonymous
    November 01, 2011
    Hi Naomi ! I just look little deep into your questions, here i found some interesting stuff; both the queries mentioned below will return the same output; --1) SELECT DB_NAME(database_id) AS DatabaseName,Name AS Logical_Name, Physical_Name, (size8)/1024 AS SizeMB,max_size FROM sys.master_files WHERE DB_NAME(database_id) = 'AdventureWorks' --2) SELECT DB_NAME() AS DataBaseName,Name AS LogicalName ,Physical_Name,(size8)/1024 AS SizeMB,Max_Size FROM sys.database_files This first query method was used internally by 'sp_databases' to return DatabseName , DatabaseSize and Remarks if any. Now moving to your questions, both of above mentioned tables contained column Max_Size. Maximum file size, in 8-KB pages: 0 = No growth is allowed. -1 = File will grow until the disk is full. 268435456 = Log file will grow to a maximum size of 2 TB. You can also re-verify this from below MSDN link; msdn.microsoft.com/.../ms186782.aspx So, appearently it didn't seems that MS SQL Server uses some table to store this size limit. We can only verify it by attaching a DB File '.mdf' which must be greater than 10 GB to verify how SQL Server responds to that. Please let me know if this doesn’t work for you. Hope I have answered you correctly. Thanks, Hasham

  • Anonymous
    November 17, 2011
    Hi, this link is currently stating the limitation is a 4GB database. www.microsoft.com/.../details.aspx

  • Anonymous
    December 08, 2011
    I have run the upgrade from SQL 2005 Express but my db is still showing as having a 4GB limit. how do I ensure it is upped to 10GB following the upgrade?

  • Anonymous
    January 04, 2012
    Is there a govenor in SQL Express? I have installed the lastest version of SQL Express and the Full trial version side by side. I restored the same database to both. I have a test app that uses a datareader and loops all records in a 250K table and pulls one field (nvarchar max) that contains about 1K of text. The SQL Express version is consistantly taking 20+ minutes to loop all records where the full trial version takes 1-2 minutes the first time and < 10 seconds there after.  I also just loaded MS SQL Studio and ran a select all query on the table for both Express and the full version. The same type of results, the full version loads first time in less than 20 seconds but the Express editon takes over 10 minutes to perform the select all in a new query.

  • Anonymous
    February 21, 2012
    Can you please confirm how many databases you can have running on SQL Express? Is there a speed limitation with SQL Express?

  • Anonymous
    February 23, 2012
    @ Mark SQL Server Express does not limit the number of databases. As mentioned in the post, the speed of SQL Server Express is limited by the CPU and RAM usage limits. It will use up to 1 CPU (multiple cores if available) and up to 1 GB of RAM (for query plan and data cache).

  • Anonymous
    March 18, 2012
    Hi guys, I'm new to Sql Server. What is the difference between Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 RTM - Express and Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 - Express? Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    March 31, 2012
    Thanks, excellent useful information.

  • Anonymous
    June 13, 2012
    Has anyone worked out if the limit depends on both the MDF and LOG files ? I have an MDF of 4GB and a 5GB LOG file. If it just depends on MDF then there's plenty of room for movement. Otherwise, I will soon run out again.

  • Anonymous
    July 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    July 05, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    October 12, 2012
    What 1 cpu means ? Is it the express edition will run only in one machine ? In a LAN, if the uers tried to access sql thru VB / VB.NET it wont work ? Rgds

  • Anonymous
    October 13, 2012
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    October 26, 2012
    I have a client that we discourage the use of SQL Express for Production enviroments. But some how they have been running it for a year or so they had a slow app and the ldf was 212GB but the mdf was 3gb. once they were switch to simple recovery killed the ldf file. They weren't backing up the transaction log.

  • Anonymous
    May 03, 2013
    Is there any restrictions on SSRS for this version of SSMS 2008 R2 Express?

  • Anonymous
    October 21, 2013
    If I create a database in Express 2005, and after a while moves it to a Express 2008 R2, will the database be allowed to grow up to 10GB, or is it still limited to 4GB?

  • Anonymous
    October 23, 2013
    Please elaborate limitation-  SQL Server Express supports 1 physical processor, 1 GB memory, and 10 GB storage

  • Anonymous
    October 31, 2013
    @Martin, once you upgrade the database in the properties by using SSMS, then run DBCCUPDATEUSAGE("dbname") to make sure it converted fine. After that it will be able to be up to 10GB

  • Anonymous
    November 17, 2013
    Hav a customer have Database runing on compatibility levels  (80), when i install 2000R2 Express use DBCCUPDATEUSAGE.. can i use 10GB with ccompatibility level (80) ? because the software designer have not intresset to update the used software... an when this working the customer have time to change to a new software.

  • Anonymous
    November 19, 2013
    Have a customer have Database runing on compatibility levels  (80) MSDE2000, when i install 2000R2 Express, restore it and use compatibility levels  (80) , makeDBCCUPDATEUSAGE.. can i use 10GB with this compatibility level (80)  active? because the software designer do not want to update the used software... an when this working the customer have time to change to a new software. ;-) sorry for second mail, but now with registred Account

  • Anonymous
    February 21, 2014
    The ldf file size doesn't count towards 10 GB size limit for free Express version .  Ldf file can grow to any size depends on your hard drive size. If you set AutoShrink property to true then ldf file will grow very slowly. I can answer to any questions related to MS SQL server!

  • Anonymous
    February 25, 2014
    the 10GB express db lmit is it PER database say 5 databases each maxing out at 10GB Total 50GB express size or Total of 5 DBs have to be under 10GB ?

  • Anonymous
    March 11, 2014
    I have 16 GB database backup file.i want to restore it on SQL Server 2008 R2,when i m restore database then it shows Executing(100%) I wait 2 hours but still database not restore continue its showing Executing(100%)...

  • Anonymous
    March 14, 2014
    What is database size limit of SQL Server 2008 R2 Express

  • Anonymous
    July 15, 2014
    I have a Db 'access' 2007 that’s at 2Gb of storage multi user environment with linked tables using the Db split. I can't get a correct answer about SQL Server 2008 R2 Express as to Db capacity. Some say 4, 5 and 10GB. I'm fixing to Migrate and I would like to know the actual size.

  • Anonymous
    October 27, 2014
    What is the maximum database size of SQL 2008 Express edition

  • Anonymous
    April 11, 2015
    hello i use sq express 2008 in project. but when restore ,if bak files big(1,6 gb) not restore, why? please i few english

  • Anonymous
    November 13, 2015
    was the upgrade to 10 gb not automatic with my older 4gb file ? tonyf@cyber-fix.com