--- title: Upgrading to Microsoft SQL Standard from a 64-bit instance of SQL Express. description: This article discusses the steps to upgrade to Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition assuming you're currently on a 64-bit instance of SQL Express (2016 and later.) --- [Skip to content](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/upgrade-to-microsoft-sql-server-standard-edition#main-content) ![Acctivate - A CAI Solution](https://hub.acctivate.com/hubfs/Images/Logos/acctivate-cai-logo-svg.svg) - [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles) - [Support Resources / Create Ticket](https://acctivate.com/support) [Support Resources / Create Ticket](https://acctivate.com/support) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles?hsLang=en) 2. [Database](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/database?hsLang=en) 3. [Microsoft SQL Server](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/database?hsLang=en#microsoft-sql-server) April 11, 2025 # Upgrading to Microsoft SQL Standard from a 64-bit instance of SQL Express. ## This article discusses the steps to upgrade to Microsoft SQL Server Standard Edition assuming you're currently on a 64-bit instance of SQL Express (2016 and later.) Acctivate includes the free [Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition](https://hub.acctivate.com/articles/4047/?hsLang=en).  You can easily upgrade to SQL Server Standard Edition for increased capacity and performance when necessary. **Please note:** This article only applies to SQL server instances that are running on 64-bit SQL server. If you are on a 32-bit version of SQL server (SQL 2014 or lower), you will have to create a new instance of SQL server standard and migrate your data over. We have an article about that [here](https://hub.acctivate.com/en/articles/sql-server-setup?hsLang=en). **Instructions** Note, different SQL Editions may have different upgrade processes. 1. For newer upgrades to an existing instance, start by using the **SQL Server Installation Center**. Then select **Maintenance** and **Edition Upgrade** to access the Product Key window. 1. ![Edition](https://hub.acctivate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Edition.jpg?width=688&height=519&name=Edition.jpg) Microsoft SQL Server Edition upgrades are handled through the standard SQL Server installer (setup.exe). 2. The main difference is that you will be required to **enter the product key** for SQL Server Standard Edition.  Choosing the free **Evaluation option is not recommended** since it will expire in 180 days with no warning. 1. ![code](https://hub.acctivate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/code.jpg?width=600&height=527&name=code.jpg) 2. SQL 2022 supports either purchasing a license outright or using Pay-as-you-go billing. Please defer to [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-2022-pricing#tabxb4d3906242924e30a9ff919c1450a208)for licensing questions and options. 3. You will also want to verify the **Ready to Upgrade** Summary includes **Edition: Standard** and **Action: Upgrade**. (The below screenshot shows Express, but yours should show standard.) 1. ![upgrade](https://hub.acctivate.com/hs-fs/hubfs/upgrade.jpg?width=600&height=488&name=upgrade.jpg) 4. Then, click **Upgrade** to start the process.  The Upgrade Process will take a while and **SQL Server will be offline** until the upgrade is **Complete**. Note: Microsoft SQL Server licenses must be [purchased from Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/sql-server-2019-standard-edition/dg7gmgf0fkx9?activetab=pivot:overviewtab) or a license reseller. 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