SQL Server

SQL Server 2014 – How to change the Product Key

Sometimes, you may need to change the product key, the license, of an existing SQL Server installation.  This can happen if you installed the product in Evaluation mode or if you want to upgrade to Enterprise from Standard edition. Fortunately, this modification does not require to uninstall and reinstall SQL Server. It can be done using Setup Wizard.

SQL Server Product Key

SQL Server Product Key

But, you may not have the Product Key displayed in your msdn subscription portal.  It can be find in the .iso file that you downloaded from the website.

Let’s see how to do that:

Product Key

When you download SQL Server from MSDN subscription, the product key is not displayed:

MSDN Subscription

MSDN Subscription

You can get the license from the SQL Server iso file:

  • Mount the iso in Windows Explorer.
  • Go to x64 folder and open DefaultSetup.ini file:
DefaultSetup.ini SQL Server

DefaultSetup.ini SQL Server

  • The Product Key is set in the PID row:
SQL Server License key

SQL Server License key

Change the Configuration

Once you get the product key, you can reconfigure the SQL Server installation.

  • Start SQL Server 2014 Installation Wizard:
SQL Server Installation Wizard

SQL Server Installation Wizard

  • Under the Maintenance node, click on Edition Upgrade:
SQL Server Edition Upgrade

SQL Server Edition Upgrade

  • Check “Enter the product key” and past it.
SQL Server Edition Upgrade

SQL Server Edition Upgrade

  • Validate modification in the Wizard and click on Upgrade:
Edition Upgrade Validation

Edition Upgrade Validation

  • Check that modifications are completed.
Modifications completed

Modifications completed

More

You can get more information about SQL Server 2014 and licensing here.

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6 thoughts on “SQL Server 2014 – How to change the Product Key

  1. MSDN says there is no product key required for installation, but the upgrade wizard requires one. Thanks to this blog entry, I finally found my Product ID in the INI file (in the ISO). (Wasted several days hunting for this). Thank you so much!!!!!! This is extremely helpful.

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  3. You can verify the upgrade using following query

    SELECT

    @@SERVERNAME SERVERNAME,

    CREATE_DATE ‘INSTALALTIONDATE’,

    SERVERPROPERTY(‘EDITION’) ‘Version’,

    DATEADD(DD, 180, CREATE_DATE) AS ‘EXPIRY DATE’

    FROM SYS.SERVER_PRINCIPALS

    WHERE SID = 0X010100000000000512000000

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