This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support.
![](data:image/svg+xml, %3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' height='64' class='font-weight-bold' style='font: 600 30.11764705882353px "SegoeUI", Arial' width='64'%3E%3Ccircle fill='hsl(179.20000000000002, 89%, 27%)' cx='32' cy='32' r='32' /%3E%3Ctext x='50%25' y='55%25' dominant-baseline='middle' text-anchor='middle' fill='%23FFF' %3ESK%3C/text%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Hi,
I have installed SQL Server 2019 on our cloud EC2 Windows server machine using the SQL Server Evaluation Edition with a 180-day free trial.
We intend to purchase the SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition key. Can we use this key to activate the SQL Server 2019 instance? If possible, please provide guidance on how to downgrade the license.
Hisurya kannan!
Just following up to see if the answer I provided was helpful. If you need any more information or have further questions, please let me know. If everything is resolved, please go ahead and accept the answer. This will help the forum grow and benefit more users. Thanks!
Hi，surya kannan
I am not sure if you are receiving my messages. I am currently rechecking this issue. Has your problem been resolved? To better maintain the thread and make our best efforts to address this issue, we are looking forward to your response. If the problem has been resolved, please select "Answer" and "Accept it," as this will effectively help others who have similar issues.
Product keys are version bound, you can not install SQL Server 2019 with a 2022 product key.
You may ask your reseller if you can get a 2019 key instead.
And edition/version upgrade 2019 Evaluation Edition to SQL Server 2022 Standard is not supported.
And edition/version upgrade 2019 Evaluation Edition to SQL Server 2022 Standard is not supported.
Incorrect, see below, taken from https://video2.skills-academy.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/supported-version-and-edition-upgrades-2022?view=sql-server-ver16
Hi，surya kannan
When purchasing SQL Server 2022, Microsoft also provides you with the right to downgrade to SQL Server 2019 or SQL Server 2017. This downgrade is called downgrade rights and gives Microsoft users the right to use prior released versions of a particular software without having to purchase these versions.
For detailed information about the license issue, you can call 1-800-426-9400, Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. (Pacific Time) to speak directly to a Microsoft licensing specialist. Or you can go to Volume Licensing Service Center support. Please choose region/language and choose to call or have web.
Best regards,
Mikey Qiao
If the answer is the right solution, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".
Hi Mikey
We will initiate the downgrade process from the Microsoft licensing portal. Meanwhile, we will contact the Microsoft licensing specialist. Once the downgrade is completed, we will proceed further.
Thank you for your valuable response and message.
Thanks and Regards,
Surya Kannan