SQL LocalDB: Upgrade to 2022 (15.0.2000)

For me it was quite confusing to find the 2022 version of LocalDB and it is not a streamline process to upgrade your local default instance.

The easiest way to upgrade your LocalDB instance to 2022 is:

Download the LocalDB 2022 installer by using the SQL Server Express installer.
https://download.microsoft.com/download/5/1/4/5145fe04-4d30-4b85-b0d1-39533663a2f1/SQL2022-SSEI-Expr.exe
1. Run the installer and select “Download Media”.
2. Select “LocalDB” + click Download.
Before running the SqlLocalDB.msi installer, delete your current MSSQLLocalDB instance:

sqllocaldb stop MSSQLLocalDB
sqllocaldb delete MSSQLLocalDB

Run the new SqlLocalDB.msi (2022) installer. It will create a new MSSQLLocalDB instance.
RESTART YOUR PC! (Otherwise MS SQL Management Studio will still tell you you have an old version running, etc. etc.)
Now you can re-attach your original databases one by one using SQL Server Management Studio (RClick + Attach…)
Done.

5 thoughts on “SQL LocalDB: Upgrade to 2022 (15.0.2000)”

nickcharnock September 24, 2024 at 10:24 am

Very helpful, thanks for posting!

Reply ↓

Aleksander December 11, 2024 at 12:53 pm

Spent 3 hours, thanks to the allmighty for this solution

Reply ↓

Nhan January 9, 2025 at 1:38 am

Thank you very much. I have been searching for this answer for a long time.

Reply ↓

Maximilian Rolf Görlich November 12, 2025 at 12:08 pm

did not work, stil lstuck at 15.0 for the local db even trough the new version 16 is instaled and ready

Reply ↓

Maximilian Rolf Görlich November 12, 2025 at 12:32 pm

okay after trying multiple times I noticed I fergot to drop my old database via

sqllocaldb stop MSSQLLocalDB

sqllocaldb delete MSSQLLocalDB

now everything works perfectly, thanks

LikeLike

Reply ↓

HAVIT Knowledge Base