How do I upgrade SQL Server localDB to a newer version?

sql-server upgrade localdb
Don Chambers picture Don Chambers · Nov 12, 2014 · Viewed 32.5k times · Source

Is it possible to upgrade SqlServer localDB from 2012 to 2014?

We currently use version 11 from SQL Server 2012. I need to upgrade to version 12 from SQL Server 2014.

I would like to be able to do it without losing my tables and data.

I installed a new localDB but I then I don't have my data. It also has another name and I can't really change the config files since it's a team project.

I tried using the command line sqlLocalDB tool to create a 2014 version called v11.0 but it created it in the old 2012 version any way.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn>sqllocaldb create v11.0
LocalDB instance "v11.0" created with version 11.0.3000.0.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn>sqllocaldb create v12.0
LocalDB instance "v12.0" created with version 12.0.2000.8.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn>sqllocaldb create aaaaa
LocalDB instance "aaaaa" created with version 12.0.2000.8.

Why would naming it v11.0 change which version was used?

How can I upgrade the existing v11.0?

Answer

Vi100 picture Vi100 · Nov 9, 2015

As stated in this link from MSDN (Not too well chosen title...) the conversion should be triggered somewhat just double clicking on the .mdf file... This didn't happened in my case (maybe because it's necessary to have the Sql Server Management Studio software or something similar for this to be truth).

So, here is an alternative procedure:

  • Open the "Server explorer" in Visual Studio

  • Click on the "Connect to database" icon on the upper left corner

  • Chose "Microsoft SQL Server" in the list and press Next

  • Write this as the Server Name: (LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB

  • Select "Attach a database file" in the options below and browser to your .mdf file

  • Proceed and this should show a dialog asking you to trigger the conversion or not

And that's it. Not very intuitive at all, but effective. I haven't found any documentation on it other than te link mentioned before, all the other steps were pure intuition but worked for me, I hope for you too.

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