Our German hosting company complains about licensing issues with our SQL Server Express installation and demands us to uninstall (or re-license) the following components:
- Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 RsFx Driver
- Microsoft SQL Server Browser
- Microsoft SQL Server VSS Writer
From my limited knowledge of SQL Server I'm pretty sure I can uninstall the Browser and VSS Writer without affecting the functionality of the SQL server itself.
But what about RsFx Driver? This sounds much more like a core component that I'd reluctantly install without knowing what its function is. Can someone shed light on this part, please? If it's safe, how do I uninstall that driver? I cannot find it in Programs and Features.
Here are details about the version we have installed:
SELECT @@VERSION
returns:
Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 (SP1) - 10.50.2500.0 (X64)
Jun 17 2011 00:54:03
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation
Express Edition (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.1 <X64>
(Build 7601: Service Pack 1)
Best Answer
I would reply to them that these are all properly licensed features, components of a free tier of SQL Server, Express. They probably scan their clients computers looking for open ports or other indicators of unlicensed software. Seems like this is their problem to fix their scan criteria, not yours; unless there is some different licensing for Express edition in your country.
The only scenario I could see an issue is if you previously had SQL Standard or Enterprise edition installed, and replaced it with Express, in which case some binaries from the prior install may be left behind, a full uninstall/reinstall should resolve that.