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we can downgrade SQL server to which version? SQL Seever downgrade rights, please share Microsoft link
Additional SQL Server features and topics not covered by specific categories
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You can downgrade, but there is no in place option. It must be a clean install. Also the product key will not work for an earlier version. You will need to go through a Microsoft purchasing channel or licensing portal to get the required key.
@Bruce (SqlWork.com) But up to which version can it be downgraded? Also, could you please provide the Microsoft link that confirms this?
You can downgrade to any version, but getting the installers for out of support versions may be an issue. see the licensing guide link for downgrade rights:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2022-pricing
as you will need to get a new key from Microsoft sales, you should contact them and verify your exact case.
I can only echo what Bruce says. Generally, it has always been the case that you can only buy the most recent version of SQL Server, but if you need to run an older version, the license covers that. But if your media is not pre-pidded, you need to get a license key. You will need to talk with your local Microsoft representative or your reseller about that.
You can downgrade to any version, but the older the version, the more difficult it may be to find the key. The oldest version that is in extended support is currently SQL 2016, but it is going out of support this year - unless it has already happened. Microsoft may not be keen on giving you a license key for something that is out of support. The same may be true about your reseller.
Also note that this is a technical forum, and you cannot get authoritative answers about licensing here, since that is a legal question.
AI answer
SQL Server downgrade rights (which older versions can be used with a newer license) are a licensing topic and are not documented in the provided context. The available context only covers technical downgrade procedures (how to downgrade edition or version on a given instance/VM), not which versions are legally permitted under downgrade rights.
Because downgrade rights and which versions are allowed are licensing questions, they require official licensing guidance from Microsoft or an authorized reseller and are outside the scope of the available documentation.
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