Is it Ok to remove Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 from a SQL 2008 R2 Server?
We still have one production SQL 2008 R2 Server. Yes, there are plans to upgrade soon, just not immediately. In the meantime, our Vulnerability reports are flagging the server as vulnerable because it has End of Life software:EOL/Obsolete Software: Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Detected EOL/Obsolete Software: Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 Detected
So we want to see if we can remove these components to resolve the vulnerability.
However, doing due diligence, I noticed that the install date for these under Add/Remove Programs is the same as the install date for SQL Server 2008 R2 itself.
So now I'm thinking these are "part of" SQL Server 2008 R2, and maybe it's not safe to remove them. Googling doesn't reveal anything definitive, with a lot of the found articles no longer available.
My question is can the be removed without negative impact to SQL Server 2008 R2, and if not, can they be upgraded to a version that's not EOL?What is Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 used for?
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 is an embedded database that allows developers to build robust applications for Windows desktops and mobile devices. The download contains the files for installing SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2 and Synchronization Services for ADO.NET version 1.0 SP1 on Windows desktop.
Is it Ok to remove Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 from a SQL 2008 R2 Server?n Unless you have installed application that depend on SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP2, you can safely uninstall.
Answer (1)
Removing Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 from a SQL Server 2008 R2 environment is generally safe under the following conditions:
No Dependencies: Ensure that there are no applications or components relying on SQL Server Compact 3.5. This edition is often used by lightweight applications for local data storage.
Backup: Before making any changes, it’s a good practice to backup your databases and system state to prevent data loss or configuration issues.
Testing: If possible, test the removal in a non-production environment to see if any dependencies break.
Review Installed Programs: Check installed programs and services that might be using SQL Server Compact 3.5. Sometimes, even some SQL Server tools or features might have dependencies.
If these conditions are met and you confirm that SQL Server Compact 3.5 is not required, you can proceed with the removal.
Steps to Remove Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5:
Open Control Panel.
Go to Programs and Features.
Locate Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5.
Select it and choose Uninstall.
After uninstalling, monitor the server to ensure no unexpected issues arise.
Would you like detailed steps on verifying dependencies or any other specific assistance?