Minor releases are free for all users. For example, if you have a license for version 8.0 of a product, you can upgrade to version 8.1 at no cost. When you download and install a minor release, the product is licensed with your existing serial number automatically. 

Major releases are free for users with a current Support and Upgrades contract. For example, if you have a license for version 7 of a product, you can upgrade to version 8 at no cost. When you download and install a major release, the product is licensed with your existing serial number automatically.

If you don't have a current Support and Upgrades contract, installing a major release will start a free 14-day trial. You'll need to buy a new license and activate the product with your new serial number. 

To check whether you have a current Support and Upgrades contract or see the cost of upgrading to the latest major version of a product:

To check the latest version of a product, see Current versions

How to upgrade

You can download the latest version of a product using Check for Updates, or the Redgate website.

You can install the latest major version of our standalone desktop tools on the same machine as the previous version. For example, you can run version 9 and version 10 in parallel.

However, installing a minor release will upgrade the existing installation. Our server tools (e.g. SQL Monitor, SQL Backup) and tools which operate entirely within SQL Server Management Studio and Visual Studio will always upgrade the existing installation.

To revert to an earlier version, uninstall the later version, then download and install the version you want from the Release notes and other versions page. You can use a serial number for a later version to activate an earlier version.