How to Upgrade MS SQL Version

This article introduces the upgrade from the previous version, for example, SQL Server 2012 Express to 2014 Express.

Pre upgrade Checklist

Before upgrading from one edition of SQL Server to another(SQL Server 2014), please verify the supported Operating System. For more details, click Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server .

To upgrade to SQL Server 2014 Express, you must verify the upgrade from version is supported to 2014 Express.

For the details, click Supported Version and Edition Upgrades.

1 Back up SQL Server databases

Before upgrading, back up SQL Server databases and other objects associated with the previous SQL Server instance.

2 Copy Installation Files to VPS or Dedicated Server

Upgrading from SQL Server 2012 Express to SQL Server 2014 Express is used as an example.

Copy Installation Files to VPS or Dedicated Server

3 Upgrade to SQL Server 2014 Express edition

3.1 Open the SQL Server 2014 Folder
Open the SQL Server 2014 Folder
3.2 Double Click “SETUP”
Check the currently logged-in user
3.3 Run the SQL Server Installation Center

Click "Upgrade from SQL server 2005, SQL server 2008 or SQL server 2012 to SQL server 2014"

Run the SQL Server Installation Center
3.4 SQL Server 2014 Setup

Check on “I accept the license terms” then click “Next”

accept the license terms
3.5 Microsoft Update Option if Desired
Microsoft Update Option if Desired
3.6 Select the type of Instance
Select the type of Instance
3.7 Specify the Server Configuration
Specify the Server Configuration
3.8 Full-text Upgrade

Choose Import.

Full-text Upgrade
3.9 Upgrade is Now in Progress

Upgrading to SQL server 2014

Upgrading to SQL server 2014
3.10 Completed
mssql upgrade completed
3.11 Test the MS SQL service

You can connect to the new MS SQL service via SSMS and run the SQL query statement "select @@version" to check the new Edition.