Upgrading or installing a Microsoft SQL instance

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This article gives basic instructions on how to upgrade to or install a SQL instance. The steps below may vary depending on the SQL version involved. Additional questions about installing or upgrading SQL Express should be handled by your firm's IT professional and directed to Microsoft.

We often suggest installing a new instance of SQL rather than upgrading an existing one. This limits any potential compatibility concerns, and limits any conflicts that may be created if there were other databases outside of the CS Professional Suite that were using that existing instance.

If a firm pushes back, see Internal: Overcoming objections during systems troubleshooting for positioning on the scope of support.

Users can be directed to this external article regarding scope of support, Contacting our Support team.

Which version of SQL should you choose?

Work with your IT professional to determine which version is right for you.

How to upgrade or install

The process you use depends on which version of SQL you want to use.

SQL 2014 32-bit Express

To install or upgrade to SQL 2014 32-bit Express using the appropriate installer:

  1. Verify that you have the Accounting CS or Practice CS 2019.2.0 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 2019.2.0 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. Browse to the Accounting CS or Practice CS v.2019.2.0 or higher web download location and run Setup.exe.
  4. Perform Step 1: Select where the Shared Files reside.
  5. Perform Step 2: Configure Database Server. After you click Step 2:
    • If you want to upgrade your existing SQL instance, choose Use an existing instance of Microsoft SQL Server. On the next window, choose your SQL 2008 Express instance and choose to Connect using Windows authentication. When prompted to upgrade your SQL Server instance, click Yes. Then, when you see the prompt "Are the applications using the following databases compatible with SQL Server 2008 R2?" click Yes. Finally, click OK to proceed with the upgrade.
    • If you want to create a new instance, choose 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.
  6. Perform Step 3: Install on this computer.

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 application's shared files and re-install the program.

See the installation toolkit for the appropriate application for instructions on uninstalling and re-installing:

Express editions: SQL 2014, 2016, 2017 or 2019

Follow the instructions below for downloading and upgradng or installing.

Downloading SQL Express

To access the download page, click the link for the version you wish to install:

Note: After July 12, 2022, Microsoft will no longer support SQL Server 2012 or earlier.

2014 Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express External link . ( What's this?)
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From the download page, select the installation package you need:

SQLEXPR_*.exe SQL Server Database Engine Only
SQLEXPRADV_*.exe SQL Server Database Engine with Advanced Services
SQLEXPRWT_*.exe SQL Server Engine with Management Tools
SqlLocalDB.MSI SQL Server Database Engine MSI Installer
SQLManagementStudio_*.exe SQL Server Management Tools (Management Studio) only

x86 or x64

Every package under SQL 2016 has a 32-bit and a 64-bit version, SQL 2016 and above will only have 64-bit versions. In the file name, x86 corresponds to 32-bit and x64 corresponds to 64-bit. When deciding which version to choose, consider the following:

  • If you are installing a new instance you can choose either 32 or 64-bit. Consult your firm's IT professional to for help making that choice.
  • If you are upgrading an existing instance to a newer version of SQL, you need to determine if the existing instance is 32 or 64-bit. Open SQL Server Management Studio (if this is not installed, consult your firm's IT professional) and connect to your existing instance of SQL. Right click on the SQL instance name and choose Properties. 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.
    SQL instance properties
    If your existing instance is 32-bit, download the 32-bit (x86) package. If your existing instance is 64-bit, download the 64-bit (x64) package.

Upgrading from an existing instance of SQL Server

Once you've downloaded the correct version of SQL Server Express, open the installation package. This should take you to the SQL Server Installation Center window.

  1. Choose Upgrade from SQL Server.
  2. In the next screen, the installer will search for any product updates. Click Next.
  3. At the License Terms screen, check the "I accept the license terms" box and click Next.
  4. The Select Instance screen will list any existing instances and allow you to select which instance to upgrade. Select the instance you want to upgrade and click Next.
  5. The installer will automatically upgrade the instance, leaving you with the same features installed with the original instance.
  6. At the Error Reporting screen, click Next.
  7. Review the Upgrade Rules screen for any rules that failed. If you have any failed messages, click the Failed link for instructions on how to resolve the issue.
  8. The installer will then complete the upgrade process.

Installing a new instance of SQL Server

Once you've downloaded the SQL Server Express installation package, open it to begin the installation

  1. At the first screen of the SQL Server Installation Center, click Installation on the left, then New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.
  2. At the Installation Type screen, choose Perform a new installation of SQL Server and click Next.
  3. At the License Terms screen, check the "I accept the license terms" box and click Next.
  4. At the Feature Selection screen, click Select All and click Next.
  5. At the Instance Configuration screen, select Named instance and enter a name for your new instance.
  6. At the Server Configuration screen, select an account for the SQL Server Database Engine (there is usually only one available to select).
  7. Set the Startup Type for both services to Automatic and click Next.
  8. At the Database Engine Configuration screen, select Mixed Mode.

    Note: Choosing mixed mode is required for the new SQL Server instance to be available during Step 2 of the installation of our products.

  9. Enter and confirm a SQL Server administrator password and click Next.
  10. At the Error Reporting screen, click Next.
  11. The installation will complete.
  12. Go to Start > All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager.
  13. Expand SQL Server Network Configuration and make sure the correct protocols (Shared Memory, Named Pipes & TCP/IP) are enabled.
  14. Run Step 2 of the appropriate application's installer in order to connect to the new instance and create the required user account.

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