Ellab EMS Version 2.6 Upgrade Guide, June 2026, Ellab Tech Support

This page only describes the process of upgrading an EMS installation without moving the installation to a new server.

1. Download the correct installation file:
Version W900A, W900B or W906A or W906B
The ‘A’ version contains SQL Server 2025 and will upgrade the existing SQL Server to SQL Server 2025. Only use this option when SQL Server software is installed on the EMS application server and the SQL Server is dedicated for EMS usage.
The W906 versions are used for environments where validation is required and is to be installed using either the Ellab IQ or IQ delivered by companies own QA department.
Files can be downloaded using the Ellab official Dropbox link
2. Document which licenses are installed on server:
This can be done looking at the XML files beginning with ‘L’ in folder [C:\Program Files (x86)\Ellab Monitoring Solutions Ltd\EMSDataService]
All the files beginning with LF contain the license ID in the file name. Make sure you have the passwords available for these licenses as you may have to re-apply them again after the installation.
Files named LicensFile.xml are W901 or W904 licenses and require that you have the original license certificate. In combination with the license IDs from the LF files Tech Support may be able to help you find the license ID.
If the EMS Mobile App is installed, you find the LicenseFile.xml file in folder [C:\ProgramData\Hanwell\EMS Mobile App]. In combination with the license IDs from the LF files Tech Support may be able to help you find the license ID.
Once you have all the license IDs send them to Ellab Tech Support support.hanwell(at)ellab.com and have them verify that you have activations available.
If you should have to re-apply the license following the installation, remember to delete the LiceseFile.xml files before re-applying the licenses using EMSConfig.
3. Verify permissions:
Before starting the upgrade make sure you have the necessary permissions to access to SQL Server. Easiest done by opening Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio, login to the SQL Server, open the EMS database, and verify permissions.
You should be member of either [sysadmin] on server or member of [db_owner] on the EMS databases.
4. Determine scope:
Which features of EMS needs to be upgraded?
Is it necessary to update/install the SR2 Service?
Is it necessary to update/install the EMS Mobile App ?
Do not install SR2 and EMS Mobile App if not absolute necessary!
5. Windows Update
Always run Windows Update and restart system before updating EMS.
6. Update EMS - Part I
Run install.exe (as Administrator)
Always select "[✓] Install EMS Server Components" when updating an existing system.
Only select "[　] Install SR2 Service" if you have SR2 Receivers in your system.
Only select "[　] Install Mobile Application Service" if you have active annual license for the EMS Mobile App.
Always select "[✓] Install IceSpy Base Utility" -- the utility does not use resources, and is always nice to have available.
Newer select "[　] Install EMS Remote Management Tools" -- this utility is almost always only used on workstations, so unless you are installing EMS on a workstation, never install this utility.
Maybe select "[　] Install EMS Backup / Archive Tool" -- for most installation we do not recommend you install this utility, but if you do, no harm done :)
[Next]
You may experience that you are prompted to install support software such as Visual C++ and ODBC Driver.
Any Microsoft SQL Server 2025 software installed on the EMS application server is updated automatically.
EMS update starts. [Next] > "I accept.." > [Next] > [Install] >
If EMS is running when you start the upgrade you are prompted multiple times that the system must reboot to complete the setup. Click [OK]
When presented with the EMS Database Information screen, click [Next]
When presented with the EMS Location Information screen, click [Next]
[Finish]
If you chose to install the IceSpy Base Utility click [Next] > "I accept..." > [Next] > [Next] > [Install] > [Finish]
If prompted that you need to reboot your system, click [Yes] (always)
7. Update EMS - Part II:
Once the system has restarted you need to update the EMS database and any archives there might be on the system.
Start EMSConfig (as Administrator) > [Yes] > [OK] > [OK]
Once the EMSConfig interface opens, click [Connect]
On most system [✓] Windows Account > [Accept]
(you can do this when the Windows Account you are logged in with has sufficient privileges on the SQL Server)
Click [Database] > [Hanwell Maintenance] > [Upgrade] (and wait) > [OK]
If there are any archive database click [Archive] > [Upgrade Archives] > [Upgrade] (and wait) > [OK]
If there are no archives, there will appear a windows telling you so > [OK]
If there are archives, a list of all archives that needs to be upgraded will appear. Select all databases and click [Upgrade] (and wait) > [OK]
Close EMSConfig (and you are done) > [Exit]
Reboot your system.
8. Licenses
⚠ The upgrade itself does not invalidate the installed licenses, so there should not be any need for re-applying the licenses following the upgrade.
If you have a W901 license on the system, you will have to delete the LicenseFile.xml before re-applying the W901 license to the system.
(Folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Ellab Monitoring Solutions Ltd\EMSDataService)
For other licenses you do not have to delete the LF-files before re-applying the licenses.
(Folder: C:\Program Files (x86)\Ellab Monitoring Solutions Ltd\EMSDataService)
If you have to re-apply the W950 license, you also have to delete the LicenseFile.xml file, but this license file is located in the ProgramData folder.
(Folder: C:\ProgramData\Hanwell\EMS Mobile App)
There are other types of licenses not covered here.

I have not included
system where SQL Server is not the Express Edition
system where SQL Server is not installed on the same server as the EMS application

Test environment
Windows Server 2025
Microsoft SQL Server was installed on same server as EMS application
Microsoft SQL Server 2022 Express Edition -> Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Express Edition
W901 & W902 licenses was installed before update
EMS was running before update