• Are you upgrading the SQL database engine/instance or just SQL Management Studio (the client tools)?

    If you are upgrading the instance, you can perform an edition upgrade via the install media and selecting "Maintenance", "Edition Upgrade". You need to upgrade the database engine before upgrading the client tools.

    http://sqlblog.com/blogs/tibor_karaszi/archive/2011/01/27/upgrading-from-express-edition-to-standard-edition.aspx

    Make sure you have a full backup of your databases before attempting any upgrade, including the master database. If needed, you can completely rebuild the instance.