How to Upgrade SQL

Raymond Scarlett
Updated

Problem

When upgrading SOLIDWORKS PDM to a newer version, it is often necessary to upgrade the SQL version if it does not meet the system requirements. PDM Professional will require SQL Standard or SQL Enterprise, while PDM Standard will only run on an instance of SQL Express. This article covers upgrading SQL.

Before attempting to upgrade any PDM Server components, please be sure to create backups of your data.

Solution Step 1: Download SQL

The first step to updating SQL is to confirm compatibility with the Windows Server Operating System. This site has more information: SQL Server in Windows operating system - SQL Server | Microsoft Learn

When upgrading SQL Standard, the paid version that is needed for PDM Professional, the installation files are downloaded from the Microsoft Admin Center.

Below are the Download Links for SQL Express for PDM Standard:

SQL 2016 SP3:

KB3177534 - How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2016 (microsoft.com)

SQL 2019:

Download Microsoft® SQL Server® 2019 Express from Official Microsoft Download Center

SQL 2019 latest cumulative update (this is needed after upgrading to SQL 2019):

Download SQL Server® 2019 for Microsoft® Windows Latest Cumulative Update from Official Microsoft Download Center

SQL 2022:

Download Microsoft® SQL Server® 2022 Express from Official Microsoft Download Center

SQL 2025:

Download Microsoft® SQL Server® 2025 Express from Official Microsoft Download Center

Solution Step 2: Upgrade SQL

  1. After downloading the executable, run it with administrator rights

  2. In the window that comes up, select "Custom" for Installation type

Select installation type: custom

  1. After selecting Custom, select "Install"

    Specify SQL Server media download target location

  2. Under the Installation section of the SQL Server Installation Center, select "Upgrade from a previous version of SQL Server"

    Upgrade from a previous version of SQL Server

     

  3. Accept the license agreements and click "Next"

    Accept the license terms

  4. Select the instance on which PDM exists and then click "Next"

    Select Instance

  5. If we have any features, we will select them in the options prior to the next screenshot. If we do not have any features, it will automatically send us to the last step. This process can take a fair amount of time, depending on the size of the database.

    Complete Summery

  6. After completion, restart your server

  7. If the server has not been upgraded with the SQL Cumulative Update yet, there will be an error when trying to upgrade the PDM database.

    SOLIDWORKS PDM 2021 and higher requires SQL Server 2019 Cumulative Update 4 or later.

  8. Please download the latest Cumulative Update from the Microsoft website. Run the executable, accept the license agreement, and then select "Next"

    Accept the license terms

  9. Select all existing PDM Instances, then click "Next"

    Select Features and hit Next

  10. Select "Next"

    Check Files In Use and hit next

  11. Select "Update"

    Select update

  12. Restart the server after the cumulative update

    Restart the server after the upgrade

14. After you restart your server, the SQL upgrade is complete.

Solution Step 3: Upgrade the SOLIDWORKS PDM Vault Database

To finish the database upgrade, navigate to the SOLIDWORKS installation media and run the Upgrade.exe located in SOLIDWORKS 20XX SP0\SOLIDWORKS 202X SP0X\SWPDMServer\Upgrade. Follow the steps below:

  1. Open the upgrade tool and run it

  2. Select the Vault and click "Next"

Select the Vault and hit Next

  1. Select "Next"

    Select Next

  2. Select "Finish"

    Select Finish

After this, we should now have a working PDM client and server with all compatible components.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.

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