SQL Server 2012 – Can SQL Server Express Edition Be Installed on the Same Machine as Standard Version?

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As I would like to say that we are going to downgrade the SQL Server Standard 2012 SP1 edition with SQL Server Express 2012 SP4 in one Production Server.

For the time being I want to keep the SQL Server Standard 2012 SP1 in that server and I want to install the SQL Server Express 2012 SP4. Until unless the SQL Server Express 2012 SP4 will be not come to production. Till time I want to keep the SQL Server 2012 Standard SP1.

My Question is that at the same time can I install the SQL Server
Express 2012 SP4 along with the SQL Server Standard 2012 SP1 in the
same Server.

Note : Suppose that as the Running SQL Server 2012 Standard SP1 instance name is ABC. Can I install the same instance name (ABC) of SQL Server 2012 Express SP4 or it will be different.

Best Answer

My Question is that at the same time can I install the SQL Server Express 2012 SP1 along with the SQL Server Standard 2012 SP1 in the same Server.

Yes installing multiple instances of SQL Server on same machine is fully supported. The only thing is please try to upgrade the instances to SP4 ASAP. SQL Server 2012 Sp1 is not supported.

Suppose that as the Running SQL Server 2012 Standard SP1 instance name is ABC. Can I install the same instance name (ABC) of SQL Server 2012 Express SP1 or it will be different.

No you cannot, two instances cannot have same instance name, you can use ABC_new this may help in making least change in connection string, if required.

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