Install an evaluation

The evaluation version is a full version of the product, functional for 30 days. After the evaluation period, you can convert your evaluation license to a production license by obtaining and applying a license key.

To update the license, contact SolarWinds Sales to purchase a full license of the product. For Orion products, access the License Manager to update the license with the purchased key. For details, see Activate licenses for Orion Platform products.

For evaluation and small environments, you can install Patch Manager and the Microsoft SQL Server database on the same server. The installer automatically installs SQL Server Express. You can use that database, or configure the server to use another Microsoft SQL Server database.

SQL Server Express has a 10 GB storage limit and supports a PM250 license tier for up to 100 managed computers. If your environment grows above 100 managed computers beyond the evaluation, you must migrate to an SQL Server database.
For evaluation installations only, installation on a desktop operating system is possible, but not supported.

For large environments or if you are installing this product into the production deployment of an existing Orion Platform, see Plan for a production deployment.

This product is intended for use in a production environment that meets the system requirements.

Evaluation and Production
Environments		 Evaluation Environments Only
Windows Server 2012 Windows 7

Windows Server 2012 R2

Windows Server 2016

Windows Server 2019

 Windows 7 SP1
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
Windows 10

To install a Patch Manager evaluation: 

  1. Locate the license activation key you received from your SolarWinds representative.
  2. Download the evaluation file from the Patch Manager website.

  3. Follow the standalone installation instructions, including the installation, setup, and configuration wizard.

    To use the Microsoft SQL Server Express database that installs with the product, click Express Install.

    To use your own Microsoft SQL Server database, click Advanced Install.

  4. Open the SolarWinds Patch Manager Administrator Console.

    If the console does not open automatically, launch the SolarWinds Patch Manager Admin Console in your SolarWinds Patch Manager program folder.

    For security purposes, SolarWinds recommends that you change the password used for the Patch Manager service.

  5. Activate the Patch Manager license.