We have SQL Server 2008 R2, which is in production & cannot be shutdown at this stage. I have installed SQL Server 2016 Standard Edition. Can I copy the databases, users and logins, with .ldfs, .mdfs & .ndfs, or use backups to restore to the server running 2016 Standard Edition?
Note that my SQL Server 2008R2 Enterprise databases do not utilize any of the Enterprise features.
Best Answer
A quick Internet search for 'sql server restore enterprise to standard' indicates this is 'theoretically' possible if you're not using 'Enterprise' features. The only way you'll truly know is to actually attempt the restore of a backup from SQL Server 2008R2 Enterprise to SQL Server 2016 Standard.
Downgrade from SQL Server Enterprise Edition to Standard Edition
Migrating a database from Enterprise to Standard Edition