Microsoft SQL Server 2019 lost license

Question

Hello,

how can I recover a lost sql 2019 license?

Thank you,

Robert

Answer 1

Hello Robert

Here is couple of steps

Method 1: Check your email and Microsoft Account

1. Check your email inbox and spam folder for any emails from Microsoft, as they may have sent you a confirmation email with the license key.
2. If you're using a Microsoft account (formerly known as Windows Live ID), sign in to your account on the Microsoft website and check your account settings for any saved licenses or downloads.

Method 2: Check your license key on your server

1. Check the SQL Server installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER or similar) for a file named licensing.xml.
2. Open the licensing.xml file in a text editor and search for the ProductKey element. This should contain your license key.

Method 3: Contact Microsoft Support

1. Reach out to Microsoft Support through their official website or phone number.
2. Provide them with your SQL Server 2019 product key and any relevant information about your purchase (order number, proof of purchase, etc.).
3. They may be able to assist you in recovering your license key or provide alternative solutions.

Method 4: Check with your organization's IT department

1. If you're part of an organization, contact your IT department and ask if they have a record of your SQL Server 2019 license key.
2. They may have purchased the license for you or have a backup of the key.Method 1: Check your email and Microsoft Account
   1. Check your email inbox and spam folder for any emails from Microsoft, as they may have sent you a confirmation email with the license key.
      1. If you're using a Microsoft account (formerly known as Windows Live ID), sign in to your account on the Microsoft website and check your account settings for any saved licenses or downloads.
   Method 2: Check your license key on your server
   1. Check the SQL Server installation directory (usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL15.MSSQLSERVER or similar) for a file named licensing.xml.
      1. Open the licensing.xml file in a text editor and search for the ProductKey element. This should contain your license key.
   Method 3: Contact Microsoft Support
   1. Reach out to Microsoft Support through their official website or phone number.
      1. Provide them with your SQL Server 2019 product key and any relevant information about your purchase (order number, proof of purchase, etc.).
         1. They may be able to assist you in recovering your license key or provide alternative solutions.
   Method 4: Check with your organization's IT department
   1. If you're part of an organization, contact your IT department and ask if they have a record of your SQL Server 2019 license key.
   2. They may have purchased the license for you or have a backup of the key.

Answer 2

Hello @Robert Anton ,

SQL server does not store license information inside SQL Server at all. You need to check your license paper or the proof of purchase by yourself.

Suggest you contacting a Microsoft sales partner or licensing expert directly. Call (1-800-426-9400), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM PST to speak directly to Microsoft licensing specialist. Or you can go to Volume Licensing Support Contact support. Please choose region/language and call. People there will help you more effectively. 

Or you may try the Powershell written by Jakob Bindslet in this thread to get Back the SQL Server Product Key Information from registry, but there is no guarantee, and you have to modify the location of registry to match your SQL Server version.

Best regards,

Cathy