How can I tell what license I have on an install of SQL server, or Windows Server?

Question

Is there any easy way to find out what license(s) are associated with a running copy of SQl Server, or Windows Server 2008?

I have technet subscriptions, and an MSDN subscription, but sometimes I also use a trial software if I need to quickly get a test environment up for a short amount of time. I have plenty of legal licenes for all the software (they are all just for test/development), but I don't accidentally want one of my 'trial licenses' to expire unexpectedly....how can I tell if I am running a trial version or not?

Solution 1

For Windows 2008, I believe you can identify a trial version through looking at the System option of the Control Panel, then scroll down to Activation. If it is a trial, it should say something like "60 days to activate." Running winver from the command line should also tell you.

For SQL Server, I think if you go into SQL Server Management Studio then choose Help, About, it will display the days remaining on the right hand side.

Solution 2

For SQL Server you can run the following query:

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('productversion'), SERVERPROPERTY ('productlevel'), SERVERPROPERTY ('edition')

Solution 3

For SQL server the query is:

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('ProductVersion') AS ProductVersion, SERVERPROPERTY ('ProductLevel') AS ProductLevel, SERVERPROPERTY('Edition') AS Edition, SERVERPROPERTY('EngineEdition') AS EngineEdition; GO

see SERVERPROPERTY (Transact-SQL) For Server 2008 the command is (from a command prompt)

cscript slmgr.vbs -dlv

Comments

[Carl C]

Just so everyone who reads this is clear, TechNet and MSDN software does not expire. You can download 60-day trial versions from Microsoft's website that do expire after the timeout period.

[EJB]

Yes, I agree, but sometimes I do use trial software even though I have technet?MSDN licenses, (just so I don't have to bother going to the MSDN site and creating a license key), but your point is valid.

[Trns]

You are missing a paren "(". SERVERPROPERTY 'ProductLevel')