Find Your Installed SQL Server Versions and Instances - Learning SQL Server

17/10/2014
Find your Installed SQL Server Versions and Instances | Learning SQL Server
Learning SQL Server

a resource for new SQL Server users and developers
Find your Installed SQL Server Versions

and Instances
Filed under: All, Management by Jason Roth 40 Comments
January 21, 2011
i
15 Votes
Its more common than you would expect to have SQL Server installed on your machine
without knowing the exact version or edition. With tools and applications installing SQL
Server behind the scenes, you may have unknowingly installed SQL Server. In this post, Ill try
to quickly explain some easy ways to investigate this question. This will include:
Using the Programs and Features control panel tool.
Understanding and viewing SQL Server instances.
SELECT @@VERSION
http://learningsqlserver.wordpress.com/2011/01/21/what-version-of-sql-server-do-i-have/
1/12
17/10/2014
If youd rather watch the techniques, here is a quick video:
Control Panel
One well-known way of investigating installed versions is the Programs and Features control
panel tool (which used to be Add/Remove Programs). In Windows 7, an easy way to get there
is to type Programs and Features in the search box on the start menu like this:
Your intent here is not necessarily to uninstall anything (although you could). Instead look
2/12
17/10/2014
Your intent here is not necessarily to uninstall anything (although you could). Instead look
through the list of installed programs for programs named Microsoft SQL Server. For
example, in my list I see around ten items that start Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2. Note that
it is possible to have multiple versions of SQL Server installled at the same time, so you could
also see Microsoft SQL Server 2005 in the same list.
SQL Server Instances

Even though the control panel is easy and well-known, it doesnt really tell the whole story
well. In order to really understand what versions of SQL Server are installed, you have to
understand SQL Server Instances. Each instance of SQL Server operates independently and
contains its own collection of databases and settings. There are two types of instances:
Default
Instance
a single instance named MSSQLSERVER. You connect to this instance

using only the server name (ex: localhost)
Named
Instance
one or more instances. You connect to these instances uing the server
name + instance name (ex: localhost\SQLEXPRESS)
Its possible have only one instance installed on your machine. But its also possible to have
many instances. And each of those instances could be a different version of SQL Server!
To understand your scenario, use the SQL Server Configuration Manager tool that installs
with both SQL Server 2005 and 2008. On the start menu, expand the Microsoft SQL Server
[YOURVERSION] menu, and then expand the Configuration Tools submenu. Launch the
SQL Server Configuration Manager tool. Here is a screen shot to use as an example:
In this example, I clicked on SQL Server Services in the left pane. The right pane shows the
different services installed on my machine. The ones that were interested in are the ones that
have SQL Server in the Service Type column. Youll notice that there are two rows with this
distinction that are highlighted here. The instance name is listed in parantheses in the first
column. In this case there are two instances:
MSSQLSERVER: the default instance.
SQLEXPRESS: a named instance, which is the default name of the SQL Server Express
instance.
3/12
17/10/2014
Each instance shows that it is running in its own process. This is useful to know, but the
important step is determining the version. To do this, right-click on the instance, and then click
Properties. In the Properties dialog, select the Advanced tab. Scroll down to the Version row.
Here is what it looks like for the MSSQLSERVER instance on my machine:
The version number for this
instance is 10.50.1600.1. In order to
translate this, you could search for
that version number on the
internet. There are several
resources that have compiled a list
of SQL Server version numbers for
you. Here is one example:
SQL Server Version Database on
SQLSecurity.com
Resources like this tell me that my
default instance is SQL Server 2008
R2 RTM. The other great thing
about a version database is that
you might find that youre not
using the latest release. For
example, I dont have any of the
post-RTM updates installed on my
machine.
One final note is that you can see
the Stock Keeping Unit Name
which is a strange way of calling out the edition. In this case my default instance is the
Developer Edition of SQL Server 2008 R2. The SQLEXPRESS instance on my machine says
Express Edition with Advanced Services. Sometimes capabilities require a specific edition of
SQL Server, so this is sometimes as important as the version information.
SELECT @@VERSION
I think looking at SQL Server Configuration Manager is the best way to truly understand what
is on your machine. But there is an easier way if you already know your instances. You can run
a simple query. Heres how:
1. On the Start Menu, go to All Programs, Microsoft SQL Server [YOURVERSION].
2. Launch SQL Server Management Studio.
3. When the Connect to Server dialog appears, log onto the SQL Server Instance of interest.
For example, if youre on the local machine, you can use localhost or
localhost\SQLEXPRESS in the Server name text box. Instances were discussed in the
previous section of this post. Make sure that the Server type is set to Database Engine.
4. Click on the New Query button on the toolbar.
4/12
17/10/2014
5. In the query window, type the following query: SELECT @@VERSION

6. Press the Execute button to run the query.
7. Look at the version text in the Results window.
On my machine, for the LOCALHOST\SQLEXPRESS instance, this is the version information
from this query:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (RTM) 10.50.1600.1 (X64) Apr 2 2010 15:48:46 Copyright (c)
Microsoft Corporation Express Edition with Advanced Services (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.1
<X64> (Build 7600: ) (Hypervisor)
This is perhaps the easiest way of detecting the version of whatever SQL Server instance youre
connected to. But you can see why I covered the control panel and instances first. If you dont
even know what instances are on your machine, you wont know how to connect to them to
run this query in SQL Server Management Studio! One final note, it is possible to have SQL
Server installed on your machine without SQL Server Management Studio. If that is the case,
you can still use the previous methods for determining your version, but youd have to install
the SQL Server Management Tools to run a query. This will most likely be covered in a later
post.
Other resources on this topic:
How to find out the Sql Server version and service pack (SQL Server Curry Blog)
SQL SERVER Get Server Version and Additional Info (SQLAuthority Blog)
How to identify your SQL Server version and edition (Microsoft Support)
@@VERSION (Transact-SQL MSDN Documentation)
Tags: SQL Server, SQL Server Configuration Manager, SQL Server Management Studio,
Versions, Videos
Comments RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed
38 Comments:
wongth7
November 29, 1999 at 7:00 pm
hi brocan you take a look at my sql server 2008 problem
http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en/sqldisasterrecovery/thread/729ba93f-98144384-9d05-fe830086fa15?prof=required
my problem isi installed a clean version of microsoft sql server 2008 enterprise edition on
my pcbut somehow when i connect..it connects to a microsoft sql server 2005
instance..how can i change the instance to 2008 version??
Reply
Jason Roth
February 19, 2011 at 1:56 pm
I would guess that you have multiple instances installed and youre not connecting to
5/12
17/10/2014
I would guess that you have multiple instances installed and youre not connecting to
your 2008 instance. Try . without the quotes to see if you have a default instance. Then
run SELECT @@VERSION. Then try .\SQLEXPRESS to see what @@VERSION tells
you about your express instance. The easiest way to prove you have 2008 installed is to
use the SQL Server Configuration Manager. Watch the video in this post and it should
walk you through exactly what to look for.
Reply
wongth7
February 20, 2011 at 3:35 am
after reading your post and watching your video twice..i started to understand a
little morei think i dont have the default instance on my pc..thats why. any idea
how or where i should get it??i remember installing every single thing during the
setup process
Jason Roth
The default instance is a selection on one of the setup pages. If youre installing SQL
Server Express, then Named Instance is automatically selected with a a named
instance of SQLEXPRESS. But you can change this to a default instance, even for
express. If youre installing another edition, than the default instance radio button is
the selection unless you already have a default instance installed. But note that SQL
Server Configuration manager will tell you whether you have a default instance. It
will show a SQL Server service type with the name (MSSQLSERVER) next to it.
Hope this helps.
wongth7
thanks for the reply..i think wheres my problem is now..theres actually a bug
during my installation process as can be seen here
http://www.kendalvandyke.com/2009/01/installing-sql-express-2008-as-default.html
Jason Roth
If thats the case, then you can use the workaround at that link and you should be
able to get your default instance up and running. I had a free machine (Windows
Server 2008 32bit), and I tested installing a default instance of EXPRESS (SQL Server
2008 R2 Express). It worked for me. I wonder if this has been fixed or if there are
more variables going on to reproduce it. Regardless, I hope you can now either: a)
Use the named SQLEXPRESS instance it installed for you, b) use the work around to
create a new named instance named MSSQLSERVER as your link suggests to work
around the problem and create the default instance explicitly.
Chikie
December 3, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Roth,
What are the differences between Instances vs databases within the SQL Server
Management Studio 2008 R2? I have the default System DBs (master, model, msdb
6/12
17/10/2014
and tempdb) and the other added DBs. I though those added databases were the
instances.
Thanks,
Chickie
RAHUL KALASKAR
October 7, 2011 at 5:56 am
Can you please tell me how to check installed features in MS SQL SERVER 2008 r2
Reply
Jason Roth
Im not sure if there is an easier way, but if you go to Programs and Features and
select your SQL Server 2008 R2 program to make changes, you should be able to bring
up the setup wizard that shows the list of features that are checked or unchecked. You
can then make changes to your installation or just use that for your own knowledge.
Reply
poola1986
July 22, 2012 at 1:49 am
it worked for me and thanks for the worthful advice.
FireFly
October 20, 2011 at 11:10 pm
where do i find the exe file of sql server.. i mean its has been installed and i can see it listed
in my programs menu but then i am not able to open it.There is an import and export data
wizard and a configuration tools folder..when i try and open the installation center inside
the configuration tools folder and install it gives me a pop window asking me to Browse
for SQL Server 2008 R2 installation media .. what is that? Please help.
Reply
Jason Roth
Usually when youre asked to browse to the SQL Server media, it means that you
installed once but now when youre trying to add features (or remove), it cant find the
setup program to complete those actions. I think Ive seen this before if I installed it over
a network share. I see your other comment too. I think that is the best route of trying to
install it again from the internet download. Unfortunately, you seem to be having
problems doing that too. Ive installed on Windows 7 many times. Did you make sure to
pick the right platform (32bit or 64bit) for your machine? There is a service pack 1 for
Windows 7 that you could make sure youve installed (I dont think it is necessary
though). From the Start menu, go to or search for Run, and from the Run dialog, type
winver, and press enter. It should tell you whether you have SP1 installed or not.
Finally, if youre installing the package with *just* management studio, I would suggest
trying to install the package that has the Database Engine + Tools (i.e. Management
Studio). Hopefully one of these suggestions helps.
Reply
FireFly
7/12
17/10/2014
October 30, 2011 at 5:13 pm

Thanks a ton for your suggestion.. will try again and let you know..
FireFly
one of my friends suggested me to install sql server management studio . but whenever i
download and install it.. it gives me error saying that this version is not supported by the
Windows OS installed here. i have Windows 7 on my computer Please reply soon.
Reply
Kishore
Hi,
Is it possible that I can have only one instance and that too a named instance of SQL server
2008 on a machine .Ex:- While installing , I give a name to the instance , like
MSSQLSERVER_MYNAME . Can I have this kindof scenario.
Regards.
Reply
Jason Roth
Yes. This is, in fact, the scenario that happens by default when you install SQL Server
Express on a machine. You get a single named instance, SQLEXPRESS, and no default
instance. You can change that to a name of your own choosing. Or you can make SQL
Server Express your default instance. It is very flexible. Thanks.
Reply
Eric Emert
May 9, 2012 at 12:24 pm
We have SQL Express was custom installed by mistake the instance name is the
same as the computer name Can we rename the instance to MSSQLSERVER
without reinstalling?
Dan T
November 17, 2011 at 11:21 am
Jason,
How do you recommend tracking sqlserver instances in a corporate environment ? Our dba
team finds that sometimes our Windows SA will install and deploy sqlserver, and we find
out about them only when there is a problem. Is there a tool that will track sqlserver
instances ? I have found that sqlsvr studio will report clients, which I dont need Thanks
Reply
ROHIT SETHIA
January 17, 2012 at 1:00 pm
HII ROHIT HERE
The database D:\POS\POS18\POS\DATABASE.MDF cannot be opened because it is
version 661. This server supports version 655 and earlier. A downgrade path is not
8/12
17/10/2014
supported.
Could not open new database D:\POS\POS18\POS\DATABASE.MDF. CREATE
DATABASE is aborted. (.Net SqlClient Data Provider)
I AM GETTING THIS ERROR PL HELP ME TO SHORT OUT THIS PROBPLEM.
Reply
Frank
Very useful. Thanks!
Reply
mrpsolutions
im getting error 916 while attaching the database what shall i do?
Reply
Web Girl
April 23, 2012 at 2:34 am
Great Article very useful info. Thanks for sharing!
Reply
Shiv
April 26, 2012 at 11:15 am
God bless you ! it worked for me !
Keep writing !
Reply
gabriella
May 19, 2012 at 7:13 am
Thanks! best explaination ive seen yet
g.
Reply
Erik
August 17, 2012 at 8:34 pm
Thank you very much!
Reply
nagesh
April 18, 2013 at 2:26 am
Hi,
i have recently installed sql server 2008 r2, but unfortunately i dont remember the password
i gave for the the authentication mode while installing. The reason i gave a different
password is because i dont have any password set up to access my system. Any suggestions
as to how i can retrieve the password given would be really appreciable.
Thanks&Regards,
Nagesh.
9/12
17/10/2014
Reply
Dawn
May 9, 2013 at 10:14 pm
this short article has helped me a lot! thanks!
Reply
Promotional USB
June 27, 2013 at 3:52 pm
Hey there just wanted to give you a quick heads up.
The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in
Chrome. Im not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with browser compatibility
but I figured Id post to let you know.
The design look great though! Hope you get the issue solved soon.
Many thanks
http://www.irmaosfranciosi.com.br/wiki/index.php?title=Promotional_Flash_drives
Reply
Raju Edaboina
July 7, 2013 at 3:33 am
HI,
my problem isi installed version of microsoft sql server 2008 enterprise edition on my pc..
happily am working on that. but, when i am attaching sample data base, its giving the
following error.
An exception occurred while executing the T-sql statement or batch.

The database adventureworks cannot be opened beacuse it is a version 655.this server
support version 654 or earlier. a downgrade path is not supported. could not oened new
database Adventureworks2008
.create database is aborted
I am new to SQL.Can any one pls give the solution..

Reply
Hugo Shebbeare
July 24, 2013 at 12:52 pm
Great job!
Reply
patio door Rollers
August 7, 2013 at 11:33 pm
Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging
for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your website is excellent,
let alone the content!
Reply
how to get an ex back
August 8, 2013 at 4:57 am
This piece of writing offers clear idea for the new users of blogging,
10/12
17/10/2014
This piece of writing offers clear idea for the new users of blogging,
that actually how to do blogging and site-building.
Reply
Jonathan Cross
August 27, 2013 at 7:29 am
Good Afternoon, I am currently trying to silently install / package software. The software i
am trying to install also installs SQL Express 2008 in the background and configures it for
use with the software. I am now trying to break these installs down and package them
individually. is there anyway to capture the current SQL 2008 settings and deploy them as a
configuration file?
Just to make clear the current install of sql is packaged behind an install and i have no clue
as to how its configuring it. I can only go in to SQL after install and see its configuration.
hope you can help???
Jonny
Reply
Bi
September 11, 2013 at 9:14 am
hi,
In my configuration manager i have mssqlserver instance,no more instances.
When i installing sql server i gave server name . and using sql server authentication.
But when i connecting to my database it gives error
Error:The TCP/IP connection to the host ., port 1433 has failed. Error: null. Verify the
connection properties. Make sure that an instance of SQL Server is running on the host and
accepting TCP/IP connections at the port. Make sure that TCP connections to the port are
not blocked by a firewall..
Is this error because of missing another instance like sqlexpress?Help me pls
Reply
Rachelle
September 11, 2013 at 11:02 am
Generally I do not read post on blogs, but I would like to say
that this write-up very compelled me to take a look at and do so!
Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.
Reply
best new game
November 28, 2013 at 2:23 am
I have read so many articles regarding the blogger lovers however this
post is in fact a pleasant piece of writing, keep it up.
Reply
mgi nano spray
Hey There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is an extremely smartly written
11/12
17/10/2014
Hey There. I discovered your weblog using msn. This is an extremely smartly written
article.
Ill be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful info.
Thank you for the post. Ill certainly comeback.
Reply
Anonymous
December 23, 2013 at 8:09 pm
Greetings from Carolina! Im bored to tears at work so I
decided to browse your blog on my iphone during
lunch break. I really like the info you present here and cant wait to take a look when I get
home.
Im shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
Im not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, fantastic
blog!
Reply
2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks for this entry:

BES upgrade 5.0.2 to 5.0.3 - BlackBerry Forums Support Community
[...] [...]
How can I open an .MDF file in SQL Server? (Attach Tutorial & Troubleshooting) |
vannampro
[] Connect to your SQL Server Instance. []
Blog at WordPress.com. | The Motion Theme.

Follow
Follow Learning SQL Server

Build a website with WordPress.com
12/12

Find Your Installed SQL Server Versions and Instances - Learning SQL Server

Diunggah oleh

Informasi Dokumen

Judul Asli

Hak Cipta

Format Tersedia

Bagikan dokumen Ini

Bagikan atau Tanam Dokumen

Opsi Berbagi

Apakah menurut Anda dokumen ini bermanfaat?

Apakah konten ini tidak pantas?

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

Find Your Installed SQL Server Versions and Instances - Learning SQL Server

Diunggah oleh

Hak Cipta:

Format Tersedia

17/10/2014

Learning SQL Server

Find your Installed SQL Server Versions

If youd rather watch the techniques, here is a quick video:

SQL Server Instances

a single instance named MSSQLSERVER. You connect to this instance

5. In the query window, type the following query: SELECT @@VERSION

October 30, 2011 at 5:13 pm

An exception occurred while executing the T-sql statement or batch.

I am new to SQL.Can any one pls give the solution..

2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks for this entry:

Blog at WordPress.com. | The Motion Theme.

Follow Learning SQL Server

Anda mungkin juga menyukai