Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate

Synopsis

Retrieves SQL Server installation dates by querying system tables for compliance auditing and infrastructure tracking.

Description

Queries system tables (sys.server_principals or sysservers) to determine when SQL Server was originally installed on each target instance. This information is essential for compliance auditing, license management, and tracking hardware refresh cycles. The function automatically handles different SQL Server versions using the appropriate system table, and can optionally retrieve the Windows OS installation date through WMI for complete infrastructure documentation. Returns structured data including computer name, instance name, and precise installation timestamps.

Syntax

Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate
    [-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [[-Credential] <PSCredential>]
    [-IncludeWindows]
    [-EnableException]
    [<CommonParameters>]

Examples

Example: 1

PS C:\> Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate -SqlInstance SqlBox1\Instance2

Returns an object with SQL Instance Install date as a string.

Example: 2

PS C:\> Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate -SqlInstance winserver\sqlexpress, sql2016

Returns an object with SQL Instance Install date as a string for both SQLInstances that are passed to the cmdlet.

Example: 3

PS C:\> 'sqlserver2014a', 'sql2016' | Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate

Returns an object with SQL Instance Install date as a string for both SQLInstances that are passed to the cmdlet via the pipeline.

Example: 4

PS C:\> Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate -SqlInstance sqlserver2014a, sql2016 -IncludeWindows

Returns an object with the Windows Install date and the SQL install date as a string.

Example: 5

PS C:\> Get-DbaRegServer -SqlInstance sql2014 | Get-DbaInstanceInstallDate

Returns an object with SQL Instance install date as a string for every server listed in the Central Management Server on sql2014

Required Parameters

-SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances.

Optional Parameters

-SqlCredential

Login to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential).
Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported.
For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance.

-Credential

Windows credentials used for WMI connection when retrieving Windows OS installation date with -IncludeWindows.
Only required when the current user lacks WMI access to the target server or when connecting across domains.

-IncludeWindows

Retrieves the Windows OS installation date in addition to SQL Server installation date using WMI.
Useful for infrastructure audits requiring both application and operating system installation timestamps.

-EnableException

By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message.
This avoids overwhelming you with “sea of red” exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting.
Using this switch turns this “nice by default” feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch.