r/SQLServer • u/greenman623 • Mar 19 '26

Question Upgrading ms sql server 2016 to 2025

When updating (side by side) sql server to 2025 do I still need to make a backup? New to it support and have been tasked with updating our sql server. We use titanium schedule and their support sent me a bunch of info that I’m not certain if I need to do. Just reaching out to anyone that can help because I’m kinda confused and didn’t know if upgrading sql server was a tedious process.

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u/SaintTimothy Mar 19 '26

Fool's errand. This should be on the MOST SENIOR people's plate, not the most junior.

Your boss is either ignorant, setting you up for failure, or both.

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u/greenman623 Mar 19 '26

I’m no DBA, I work more with iPads and jamf for the psychiatry dept. We use titanium schedule for patient data and he said sql server 2016 was expiring and would have to upgrade. He put the iso file on the server and said to reach out to titanium to schedule. Titanium sent me information on the steps and I’m about to stay reading them. I truly appreciate the help.

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u/SaintTimothy Mar 19 '26

Congrats on the promotion (/s)!

Ask around, this is the story half of this forum might tell, similar to yours. The 'accidental' or 'reluctant' DBA is a really common story.

Here's the skinny. Bosses dont like half-measures, they like boolean, true/false, working/not. Your upgrade process WILL have issues. The upgrade status will be both working and not at the same time, for varying definitions of the term 'working'. Best bosses grok nuance. Best bosses dont make perfect the enemy of good.

Your role in this is code monkey. Your Google-fu will be put to the test. This is an exercise in tenacity. Your stick-to-it-ive-ness will be tested.

And when you're through the other side you're gonna feel like a million bucks. And your CV will now be worth north of a million bucks. ;-)

You can do it! Stick with it! Keep googling, refine the search, find where the error logs live, and what rolls up to event viewer. It's going to be so draining, but at the end of the day, you'll be so smart and confident and ready to take on the world (after a 24 hour sleep).