How to handle the end of SQL 2012 in Workpapers CS

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What is changing

As of July 12th, 2022, Microsoft is ending support for SQL 2012. You will need to upgrade to SQL Server 2014 or higher on the servers that run Workpapers CS. The deadline for this upgrade is the 2022.2.0 Workpapers CS release, scheduled for June 2022.

Work with your IT professional to complete the steps below.

Note: If you have a message at the bottom right-hand corner of Workpapers CS that says "Support for your current version of Microsoft SQL Server ends in 2022.”, you can skip step 1 and proceed with step 2 the other steps that follow.

Why is it changing

Microsoft is ending support for SQL 2012 on July 12, 2022. For more information, see Discontinued support for Microsoft SQL Server 2012.

Step 1: Determine your current SQL version and edition

Determine if you are using SQL 2012 by following the instructions in How to identify your SQL Server version and edition.

  • If you are using SQL 2014 or later, you do not need to take any action.
  • If you are on SQL 2012, or earlier, continue to the next step.

Step 2: Back up your data

To protect your firm's data during this process, create a current backup of your database.

  1. Create a backup folder and a database restore folder.
  2. Have all staff close Workpapers CS. Please note that no staff will be able to access the program while you update.
  3. Open Workpapers CS.
  4. Choose File > Backup.
  5. In the Backup file field, browse to the location of the backup folder you created in step 1.
  6. Click OK.
  7. If you are installing the new SQL instance on a different machine, copy all the backup files from the backup folder to the restore folder.

Step 3: Determine whether you have 32 or 64-bit SQL

When you upgrade your SQL instance, you need to know whether your current instance is 32 or 64-bit because the version you upgrade to needs to match.

  1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to your existing instance of SQL.
  2. Right-click the SQL instance name and choose Properties.
  3. Check the General page of the Server Properties for the name of the product listed.  64-bit instances will be listed with (64-bit) at the end of the product name. Show me.
    32 or 64 bit highlighted

Step 4: Upgrade SQL

Which version of SQL are you upgrading to? 

Work with your IT professional to determine which version is right for you. Workpapers CS version 2018.4.6 and higher come packaged with SQL Express 2014. We chose this version because it is the most universally usable version available.

Workgroup, Standard or Enterprise editions:

If you want to upgrade to a Workgroup, Standard, or Enterprise edition of SQL, work with your IT Professional. After upgrading, uninstall the Workpapers CS shared files and re-install the program. See Installation Toolkit - Workpapers CS .

Express editions: SQL 2014 64-bit, 2016, 2017, or 2019

See Upgrading or installing a Microsoft SQL instance for instructions on upgrading your existing instance to one of these version of SQL. You can also choose to install a new instance. 

Express edition: SQL 2014 32-bit

  1. Verify that you have the Accounting CS 2018.4.6 or newer web download. The default location for the folder is the C: drive of the machine where the download last occurred. If you do not have the 2018.4.6 or newer version, go to the My Product Downloads page and download it.
  2. Use an account with full administrative rights to log in to the machine where the new SQL instance will be installed.
  3. Uninstall Workpapers CS from Windows using the Control Panel.
  4. Browse to the Accounting CS v.2018.4.6 or higher web download location and run Setup.exe.
  5. Perform Step 1: Select where the Workpapers CS Shared Files reside.
  6. Perform Step 2: Configure Database Server. Click the Install a new instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express Edition SP3 When prompted, enter a name for the new SQL Server instance. We recommend naming this instance SQLEXPRESS2014 and installing to the default location for the SQL Server Data Folder.

    Step 2 must be performed even if a green check mark appears that the step has been completed. Show me.

    step 2 installation

    Note: If the machine you're installing SQL on is a Windows Domain Controller, you may see a message that says you are unable to install Microsoft SQL Server. See Cannot install Microsoft SQL Server on a Domain Controller for more information.

  7. Perform Step 3: Install Workpapers CS on this computer.
  8. Restore the Workpapers CS database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. See Restoring the firm database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.
  9. Open Workpapers CS.

    If you do not have Workpapers CS on the machine hosting the new SQL instance, run the Workpapers CS desktop setup program on a workstation and open Workpapers CS.

  10. Log into and verify your data has been restored and is current.

Step 5:Disable SQL Server 2012

If no other applications are using SQL Server 2012, we recommend disabling it.This will free up resources and improve performance of the database server. If other applications are using the SQL Server, do not disable any Services.

To disable the SQL 2012 service:

  1. Open the Run program at the machine where the SQL Server instance resides. You can do this by clicking the Start menu and searching for Run, or by pressing the Windows key + R.
  2. In the Run window, type msc and click OK.
  3. In the list of services, locate any services that include the name of the prior instance of SQL Server. Look for SQL Server (INSTANCE) and SQL Server Agent (INSTANCE), where INSTANCE is the name of the instance of SQL Server.
  4. Double-click each item you found to open its Properties dialog.
  5. Click the General tab. If the Service status indicates that the instance is Started, click the Stop button and wait for the Service status to change to Stopped.
  6. In the Startup type field, select Disabled.
  7. Click OK to save your changes.

Choosing to uninstall SQL Server 2012 rather than disabling may have unintended consequences. Contact your IT professional if you are considering uninstalling.

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