Update SQL 2005 Express to SQL 2012

The limit of 4GB was in MSSQL 2005. the limit has been increased to 10GB since MSSQL 2008R2 Express Edition.
With that said, what's your issue?

I ran the 2012 installation and chose the upgrade existing database option.  Everything seemed to go fine and 2012 is installed.  However, when I try to change the file size from 4096MB to a higher number I get this error:  CREATE DATABASE or ALTER DATABASE failed because the resulting cumulative database size would exceed your licensed limit of 4096 per database.  SQL Error 1827

You need to change the database compatibility level to 110.

OK - sounds simple but the link you sent is above my pay grade.

Yes, I understand the syntax.  But I am not sure where to put it.  I am not a SQL person so where exactly does this command get applied?

How do you usually connect to the SQL Server database?
Aren't you using SQL Server Management Studio?

yes - i had to install v2016.  so i assume i am close.  is this something i can run in powershell (I just discovered it)?

It will be easier if you open SSMS, connect to the SQL Server Express instance, open a new query window and run the above command.

Msg 102, Level 15, State 1, Line 2
Incorrect syntax near '110'.

Auto-attach to process '[3020] [SQL] DMILLER-PC2' on machine 'DMILLER-PC2' succeeded.
The thread 'DMILLER-PC2\SYNGOUSWP20 [55]' (0x6e0) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
The thread 'DMILLER-PC2\SYNGOUSWP20 [55]' (0x6e0) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
The thread 'DMILLER-PC2\SYNGOUSWP20 [55]' (0x6e0) has exited with code 0 (0x0).
The program '[3020] [SQL] DMILLER-PC2: DMILLER-PC2\SYNGOUSWP20' has exited with code 0 (0x0).

The errors above doesn't seem SQL Server errors.
Can you post a screen shot of the program and commands that you ran?

Looks like you ran this in debug mode. Try to run it by pressing F5 or the Execute button option in the toolbar.

yes, i ran it with the execute button first.  then i ran with debug.  same result

What the following returns?

SELECT @@Version

Select allOpen in new window

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 - 9.00.5000.00 (Intel X86)   Dec 10 2010 10:56:29   Copyright (c) 1988-2005 Microsoft Corporation  Express Edition on Windows NT 6.1 (Build 7601: Service Pack 1)

So you didn't upgrade yet the SQL Server instance and that's why you can't change the compatibility level to 110.

ok - perhaps i missed a step somewhere. i thought i had.
what is the best path...

Check my 2nd comment in this thread: #42046013
First, upgrade the SQL Server version and then change the database compatibility level: #42046030

Recommendation to close by accepting the above comments as solution.