Welcome to our blog post on how to install SQL Server 2012 Express Edition. In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of installing SQL Server 2012 Express Edition using the SQL Server Installation Center. We will also discuss how to perform an unattended (silent) installation using the SQL Server installation configuration file.
Step 1: Download SQL Server 2012 Express Edition
The first step is to download the SQL Server 2012 Express Edition installation file from the official Microsoft website. Make sure to choose the correct version (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your system requirements.
Step 2: Install SQL Server using SQL Server Installer
Once the installation file is downloaded, double-click on it to start the installation process. On the first screen, choose the “New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to the existing installation” option.
Next, accept the license terms and choose whether to include SQL Server product updates. It is recommended to keep SQL Server up to date, but make sure to test updates on a test server before applying them to a production server.
On the feature selection screen, choose the features you want to install. You can also customize the instance configuration, including the instance root directory, SQL Server service account credentials, and database collation.
Finally, review the installation configuration and click on the “Install” button to begin the installation process. Once the installation is complete, you can review the list of installed features and components.
Step 3: Silent Installation of SQL Server 2012 Express Edition
If you prefer to perform an unattended (silent) installation of SQL Server 2012 Express Edition, you can use the SQL Server installation configuration file. This file allows you to specify installation parameters without the need for manual input during the installation process.
To perform a silent installation, open PowerShell or Command Prompt and execute the following command:
C:\Softwares\SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe /ACTION=INSTALL /UIMODE=NormalThis command will run the SQL Server installer in silent mode. You can customize the installation parameters by editing the configuration file (configurationfile.ini) before running the command.
Step 4: Connect to SQL Server
Once the installation is complete, you can connect to SQL Server using SQL Server Management Studio. Open the “Connect to Server” dialog box, choose the appropriate server name and authentication method, and click on the “Connect” button.
If you are able to connect to the SQL Server instance, it means that the installation was successful.
Summary
In this article, we have explained the step-by-step process of installing SQL Server 2012 Express Edition using the SQL Server Installation Center. We have also discussed how to perform an unattended (silent) installation using the SQL Server installation configuration file.
By following these instructions, you should be able to successfully install SQL Server 2012 Express Edition on your system. If you encounter any issues during the installation process, make sure to review the installation logs for troubleshooting.