Level Up Your Database: Installing SQL Server 2019 and Upgrading to a Specific Version Like a Pro! 🚀 ✨

Introduction

Hey guys, this time I’m gonna share my experience on how to install SQL Server 2019 Express with a specific version. Why? Because I got a task from my boss to migrate from RDS SQL Server on AWS to self-hosted, and I need to make sure the version is exactly the same. 🤔

Any dilemmas?

Of course! So the problem is, by default, the installer from Microsoft gives you version 15.0.2000.5, while the version on RDS AWS is 15.04073, which is totally different. 😅

In this article, I’m using the following stack:

• Windows Server 2019 Standard 💻
• SQL Server 2019 Express 🛠️
• Specific version 15.04073 🔥

Goals

I’ll be installing SQL Server 2019 with the specific version 15.04073. 🎯

Prerequisites

• Windows Server 2016 (or newer) 🖥️
• Disk partition like below; note: for size, you can configure as you need:

Diskpartition SQL-Server

• Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express: [Official Microsoft Website] 🌐
• Download the file for the specific version:
• For version 15.04073: KB4577194 — Cumulative Update 8 for SQL Server 2019 📥
• For other versions, you can download them at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-US/troubleshoot/sql/releases/sqlserver-2019/build-versions

Once everything is ready, let’s move on to the next step installation 🚀 💻

To-Do

Install SQL Server 2019 Express

• On your Server, create directory on drive D, E, F, and G with name Microsoft SQL Server

• Install SQL Server with configuration below or can be customized as needed

• Create Directory Structure Folder on Drive F: Microsoft SQL Server → TempDB. Then set SQL Server Configuration below:

• Waiting installation until finished

Install the Update Version

• After downloading the file specific update on prerequisite above, click and install from that file
• Then, next and update, and wait until progress completed

• Check version detail on database client like SQL Management Studio, Navicat, etc. ✅ You did it. 🙌🏻 🙌🏻

Conclusion

To migrate from AWS RDS to self-hosted SQL Server 2019 Express with the exact version (15.04073), the default installer isn’t enough since it only gives 15.0.2000.5. So, the fix is simple: set up a Windows Server (2016+), create the necessary directories, install SQL Server 2019 Express, then manually apply Cumulative Update 8 (KB4577194) or same as you need version from source RDS SQL Server version to match the required version. Finally, verify it using SQL Management Studio or any database client. Boom, you’re done! ✅🔥

References

• Best Practice SQL Server Drive Layout
• SQL Server 2019 build version
• Update Version SQL Server by CU (Cumulate Update)

f you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment box! I’ll be happy to help. 🚀😊