Uninstall PolyBase from SQL Server

If you have SQL Server 2019 or SQL Server 2022 installed with PolyBase and you try to install SQL Server 2025, it will fail during validation.

To remove a previous PolyBase installation, go to 'Start' and type 'Add Remove Programs', then type 'SQL Server 2019' or 'SQL Server 2022'.

Then click 'Uninstall' and click 'Uninstall' again.

Then click 'Remove'.

Select the instance PolyBase is installed on and click 'Next'.

Select 'PolyBase Query Service for External Data' to uninstall and click 'Next'.

Click 'Remove' to uninstall.

Once it's finished uninstalling, click 'Close,' and you can return to installing SQL Server 2025 Public Preview.