SQL Server 2016 CTP3.2 evaluation expired to SQL Server 2016 standard with product key

Hicham ZOUAGUI 21 Reputation points
2021-10-25T09:50:39.08+00:00

Dear Sir,
I have installed SQL Server 2016 CTP3.2 evaluation and after 180 days it expires and i buy the SQL Server 2016 standard license.
But when i upgrade ( in maintenance/installation Center) and enter the Product key it does not accept it say the the key is not for this edition.
please how to solve this; i have datas in my instance called 'MSSQLSERVER'.
Best regards.

SQL Server
SQL Server
A family of Microsoft relational database management and analysis systems for e-commerce, line-of-business, and data warehousing solutions.
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  1. Seeya Xi-MSFT 16,436 Reputation points
    2021-10-26T06:46:42.57+00:00

    Hi @Hicham ZOUAGUI ,

    As you can see from this link, upgrading from SQL Server 2016 evaluation to SQL Server 2016 standard is not supported.
    So you can uninstall the evaluation version and reinstall the standard version.
    Remember that you need to back up files which you can see from the below link before uninstalling.
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/uninstall-an-existing-instance-of-sql-server-setup?view=sql-server-ver15&tabs=Windows10

    And before reinstall, please follow the below steps to remove all components of previous installed SQL Server cleanly:

    1. Remove all SQL Server components from 'Programs and Features'
    2. Backup the registry
    3. Delete the following keys in regedit:
      --HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server
      --HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSSQLServer
    4. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall and delete all the sub-keys referencing SQL Server
    5. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services and delete all the keys referencing SQL Server
    6. Reboot the machine
      In addition, please use an administrator account to reinstall SQL Server on your computer(Right click->run as administrator).

    Best regards,
    Seeya

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  1. Olaf Helper 40,816 Reputation points
    2021-10-25T10:23:12.703+00:00

    Where did you got a key for SQL Server 2016 from? May it's a key for SQL Server 2019 instead? License keys are bound to the version.

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  2. Hicham ZOUAGUI 21 Reputation points
    2021-10-25T10:38:31.433+00:00

    The product key is buyed from an officially seller and it is SQL Server 2016 Standard Product key.
    I have tried to test this key on another computer and it works But I need it on my server where I have my datas and i can not access to it.

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  3. Erland Sommarskog 101K Reputation points MVP
    2021-10-25T21:40:47.817+00:00

    It may be that you cannot upgrade from a CTP to Standard Edition. In that case, you will need to uninstall and reinstall. You can attach existing databases to the new instances. They will not be removed by the uninstall.

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