I recently upgraded SQL 2012 Express to Standard and am not sure if my exisitng databases upgraded with the SQL instance

Greta B 21 Reputation points
2021-10-27T16:02:13.887+00:00

I recently upgraded an instance of SQL Server Express 2012 to Standard because my database was reaching its maximum capacity with Express. My question is - do the existing databases within the SQL instance automatically lose the limitations of express and gain the added capacity from the full SQL upgrade? Or do I need to create a brand new database for it to inherit the benefits of Standard?

If I do need to create a new database how do I migrate the old database into the new one? I cannot lose any of the data in my existing database as it is critical for my clients company. Any recommendations are helpful as I am fairly new to SQL.

Thank you!

SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
12,702 questions
SQL Server Migration Assistant
SQL Server Migration Assistant
A Microsoft tool designed to automate database migration to SQL Server from Access, DB2, MySQL, Oracle, and SAP ASE.
494 questions
0 comments
Accepted answer
  1. Tom Phillips 17,716 Reputation points
    2021-10-27T18:38:30.807+00:00

    How exactly did you "upgrade from Express to Standard"?

    If you used Edition or in-place upgrade, then you do not need to do anything. The size limit is enforced by the running edition.

    If you did a side-by-side install, then you need to migrate all your databases to the new instance.

1 additional answer

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Michael Taylor 47,966 Reputation points
    2021-10-27T16:16:21.22+00:00

    Changing editions of SQL doesn't require any DB changes.

    0 comments