SQL Version 2022 Expired

Question

SQL Version 2022 Expired

Syed Mehdi 0

Hi team,

My free lab kit has expired therefore I am unable to launch SCCM console because it is unable to connect to database. I tried clean reisntallation of the lab but it shows expired. Can you please guide me how I can upgrade my SQL from Evaluation to developer or Standard for free. I tried to upgrade it but couldn't can someone help to fix this issue?

"2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Microsoft SQL Server 2022 (RTM) - 16.0.1000.6 (X64)

Oct  8 2022 05:58:25 

Copyright (C) 2022 Microsoft Corporation

Enterprise Evaluation Edition (64-bit) on Windows Server 2025 Standard Evaluation 10.0 <X64> (Build 26100: ) (Hypervisor)

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server UTC adjustment: -7:00

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server (c) Microsoft Corporation.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Server process ID is 8716.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server System Manufacturer: 'Microsoft Corporation', System Model: 'Virtual Machine'.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Authentication mode is WINDOWS-ONLY.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Logging SQL Server messages in file 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log\ERRORLOG'.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server The service account is 'CORP\SQL_SA'. This is an informational message; no user action is required.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Registry startup parameters:

 -d C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\master.mdf

 -e C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Log\ERRORLOG

 -l C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\mastlog.ldf

 -T 8295

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Command Line Startup Parameters:

 -s "MSSQLSERVER"

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server Error: 17051, Severity: 16, State: 1.

2026-08-24 03:48:32.57 Server SQL Server evaluation period has expired."

Thanks,

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2 answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Bruce (SqlWork.com) 85,111

once you installed a trail version, you are not allowed a second trial. the only free versions are sqlserver developer and sqlserver express. as you can not downgrade to these editions from an enterprise install, you must uninstall sqlserver, then install the free version. you can backup databases from the trial and restore to the new install.

note: if you install the dev edition, be sure you are following the licensing requirements.

Syed Mehdi 0 Reputation points

2026-08-24T15:58:39.8233333+00:00

Hi Bruce,

Thanks! So post 180 days expiration period of Microsoft SCCM+Intune free lab kit, I can’t reuse again?
Erland Sommarskog 136.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-24T20:56:03.47+00:00

If the SCCM lab kit itself has expired, you are better off asking about that with a Microsoft System Center tag. Here we know SQL Server. I can speak for everyone else, but myself I know nothing about System Center.

As for Bruce's post, he is in correct. Upgrading from Evaluation Edition to Developer Edition is supported. This is from https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/supported-version-and-edition-upgrades-2022?view=sql-server-ver17
Syed Mehdi 0 Reputation points

2026-08-24T21:02:38.6933333+00:00

Thanks Erland!

My problem is fixed post upgrading Sql 2022 enterprise evaluation to Sql dev 2025.

Thanks again for all your help guys.

Thanks,

Answer 2

Erland Sommarskog 136.8K MVP Volunteer Moderator

My first reaction is that if you are running something like SCCM, this a production environment, and you need a license that permits you to run SQL Server in production. That is, this needs to be one of Express, Standard and Enterprise Edition. Developer Edition is out of the question. If you want something that is free, Express Edition is the only choice, but the database is capped at 10 GB with SQL 2022. (50 GB with SQL 2025.)

But once you have a license for Standard Edition, it is a straight forward operation. Start the installation media, and select the Maintenance page where you find Edition Upgrade.

User's image

Syed Mehdi 0 Reputation points

2026-08-24T12:55:48.9733333+00:00

Hi Erland,

The environment is a lab test environment and not a production. I am using Microsoft provided lab kit to setup the environment. Inside which, the errorlog shows Sql is expired and therefore can’t load SCCM. Can you suggest m how can I use it for free?

Thanks,
Erland Sommarskog 136.8K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-24T13:04:04.1366667+00:00

If you believe that you don't need to be licensed for production, just go ahead and use the process above to install Developer Edition. But if you get license-audited and the auditor says that you are not compliant, don't blame me. It would definitely be a good idea to talk to your contacts at Microsoft to get a confirmation in writing that you can use Developer Edition.

Also, if you upgrade, apply the most recent Cumulative Update to get many bug fixes and enhancements.
Dan Guzman 9,521 Reputation points

2026-08-24T16:59:03.15+00:00

Adding that Microsoft Configuration Manager (formally SCCM) does include a limited license for SQL Server Standard Edition that does not expire. Furthermore, my google-foo suggests the same instance can be used with InTune. It seems to me the lab kit installation may have erred by installing SQL Server Evaluation Edition instead of Standard (or Developer for non-prod use).

Perhaps there is way to coerce the lab kit installer into installing Standard or Developer instead of Evaluation Edition. Alternatively, maybe you could manually replace the instance with Developer for your use case.