Documentation forPatch Manager

Install an evaluation

The evaluation is a full product version, 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 SolarWinds Platform products, access the License Manager to update the license with the purchased key. For details, see Activate licenses for SolarWinds Platform Platform products.

For evaluation and small environments, you can install Patch Manager and the Microsoft SQL Server database on the same server. You can use this database, or configure the server to use an SQL Server database instance located on a separate server.

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.
You can install the evaluation on a desktop system running a supported operating system. However, SolarWinds does not support this option.

For large environments or if you are installing this product into the production deployment of an existing SolarWinds 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 Server 2022

 Windows 7 SP1
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
Windows 10
Windows 11

To install a Patch Manager evaluation: 

  1. Select and install a supported SQL Server database option.

    You can download and install SQL Server Express on a separate server or use an SQL Server instance located on a separate server.

  2. Locate the license activation key you received from your SolarWinds representative.
  3. Download the free trial from the Patch Manager website.

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

  5. Open the SolarWinds Patch Manager Administrator Console.

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

    To prevent unauthorized access, SolarWinds recommends that you change the password used for the Patch Manager service.