Sql-server – Differentiate SQL Server Express from SQL Server installed in a server

sql serversql-server-2008-r2

I own a VPS server and I was told SQL Server 2008 R2 Express edition was installed on Windows OS 2008R2.

When I opened the SQL Server configuration manager I saw this:

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  1. I thought I should see only the SQL Server Express but there is also SQL Server (MSSQLServer). Does that mean both SQL Server Express and SQL Server of different version are installed? If so how will I know which version of SQL Server and SQL Server Express are installed ?

  2. I also see SQL Server full text filter daemon service running which means full text is installed but unfortunately when I right click the table I see the full text index is disabled.

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I am confused as to what is installed and what is not installed. Can some one throw a light on this one

When I connect to the default instance with servername as .
I get :

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (SP2) – 10.50.4000.0 (X64) Jun 28 2012 08:36:30
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
Express Edition (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.1
(Build 7601: Service Pack 1) (Hypervisor)

When I connect to the instance with servername as machinename\sqlexpress
I get:

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (SP2) – 10.50.4000.0 (X64) Jun 28 2012 08:36:30
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
Express Edition with Advanced Services (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.1
(Build 7601: Service Pack 1) (Hypervisor)

Best Answer

The MSSQLSERVER name in the services does not mean anything other than SQL Server (any edition) was installed as the default (unnamed) instance. It does NOT give you any information as to what version or edition it is! This can be SQL Server Express!

You need to connect to that database instance and run

SELECT @@VERSION

to find out what exact version/edition it is.

Having the two SQL Server service entries just means you have two instances - which edition each instance is cannot be determined from their names alone. OK - SQLEXPRESS is the default name used for SQL Server Express - but you could install a Standard or Enterprise edition with that instance name - just for fun.