How to check when was SQL Server installed ?

I am using Evaluation edition for testing and writing blog. Evaluation Edition works for 180 days from the date of installation. Thus, it’s very import for me to know

• When was my SQL Server Instance Installed
• when it is going to stop working

Script to get this Information

SELECT create_date as 'SQL Server Install Date', 
DATEADD(dd,180,create_date) as 'Will Stop Working ON'
FROM sys.server_principals WHERE name='NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM'

 

 

OUTPUT

Logic, "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM", is SQL Server principal, which gets created during the installation. So we are just checking a creation date of that security principal.