SQL Server Management Studio won't install over SQL Server Management Studio Express

Since re-installing my main development machine recently, I've had a real irritation -I had to resort to SQL Server Management Studio Express as I couldn't get the full version installed. This wasn't a problem until today when I had to re-create some full text catalogs (which is one of the things you can't do using the GUI in SQL Server Management Studio Express).

I did look into getting this working before giving up before due to time constraints but this time I had no choice but this time I must have done something differently.

Just to bring you up-to speed, whenever I tried to install SQL Server Management Studio using the SQL Server 2005 installer, I got an error message something along the lines of "Edition Version Conflict". The installer then suggests you uninstall the express tools (which you do) and you try again just to get the same error message.

Most people on Google are just resorting to a complete re-install of your machine but I've found that's because you're not uninstalling the right thing. First thing I did this time was remove Microsoft SQL Server 2005 completely but near the end of the installer it asks you if you want to remove or modify. This time, I chose modify and set all the components to "Entire Feature will be Unavailable". That then seems to uninstall it fully for you. Now uninstall SQL Server Management Studio Express and you're done :)

Hope that helps someone else (or me in a few months time...)