title: How to convert SQL Server CE 3.5 database to 4.0 in VS2012
body: <p>I've just upgraded my Visual Studio from 2010 to 2012 on Windows 7 64 bit. I have a windows forms project that uses a SQL Server CE database, currently v3.5. I've tried to upgrade the DB to 4.0 but I keep hitting a wall and haven't been able to find an article that helps. I looked at <a href="http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms172032.aspx" rel="nofollow">http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms172032.aspx</a> but the instructions don't work. I get a error for a null object reference.</p>
  
  <p>I did change the SQL Server CE 3.5 reference in my project to 4.0. I've even tried adding a new SQL Server CE database but VS only seems to have the option to add a 3.5 DB. I do have 4.0 installed on my system. I tried downloading SQL Server CE Toolbox but the option to convert the database is not offered. I get another error when I try to create a SQL Server CE 4.0 connection. It's like you can't get there from here! I thought about creating a new SQL Server CE 4.0 database and then adding it to my project but I'm getting nowhere doing that either. I used the 3.5 version of SQL Server CE toolbox to export the table scripts from my database so I do have that. I just can't seem to get to first base with VS2012 on this.</p>