Can we Downgrade SQL Server standard 2019 to 2016

Question

Can we Downgrade SQL Server standard 2019 to 2016

Rinzie Andrian (MUSIC ACTIVE VENTURES SDN. BHD) 1

Can I downgrade SQL Server Standard 2019 to 2016?

Martin Cairney 2,261 Reputation points

2022-08-18T05:08:29.273+00:00

Are you looking to take an existing implementation and change it or whether the license allows you to install an older version?

If the second then the answer is yes - you have down-level rights.

If the first, then there is a huge WHY???? SQL Server 2016 left mainstream support on Jul 13, 2021 and has extended support only to 2026. Why on earth would you want to move from a fully supported platform to a restricted support one? If you can explain your requirements to be considering this then there may be an answer.
CathyJi-MSFT 22,396 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-08-23T06:47:06.097+00:00

Hi @Rinzie Andrian (MUSIC ACTIVE VENTURES SDN. BHD) ,

We have not received a response from you. Did a reply could help you? If the response helped, do "Accept Answer". If it is not, please let us know. By doing so, it will benefit all community members who are having this similar issue. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

2 answers

Your answer

Martin Cairney 2,261 Reputation points

2022-08-18T05:08:29.273+00:00

Are you looking to take an existing implementation and change it or whether the license allows you to install an older version?

If the second then the answer is yes - you have down-level rights.

If the first, then there is a huge WHY???? SQL Server 2016 left mainstream support on Jul 13, 2021 and has extended support only to 2026. Why on earth would you want to move from a fully supported platform to a restricted support one? If you can explain your requirements to be considering this then there may be an answer.
CathyJi-MSFT 22,396 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2022-08-23T06:47:06.097+00:00

Hi @Rinzie Andrian (MUSIC ACTIVE VENTURES SDN. BHD) ,

We have not received a response from you. Did a reply could help you? If the response helped, do "Accept Answer". If it is not, please let us know. By doing so, it will benefit all community members who are having this similar issue. Your contribution is highly appreciated.

Answer 1

Hi @Rinzie Andrian (MUSIC ACTIVE VENTURES SDN. BHD) ，

Why did you want to downgrade SQL server 2019 to SQL server 2016? Microsoft always suggest user to use a newer version of SQL server. And there are some new features and enhancements in SQL Server 2019. They are not supported in SQL 2016.

If you want to downgrade SQL 2019 standard to SQL 2016 standard. There is no supported method to in-place downgrade SQL server. A clean install would be required. Then migrate data from SQL 2019 to SQL 2016. And you need to buy a new SQL 2016 standard license for new clean install.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Answer 2

Bjoern Peters 8,921

Additionally to @CathyJi-MSFT answer...

you won't be able to do the migration via backup-restore... a backup from a newer version cannot be installed on an older system!
You have to do it as an export and import procedure...

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Can we Downgrade SQL Server standard 2019 to 2016

2 answers

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