SQL Server Express is a free and feature-limited edition of SQL Server that is published by Microsoft. It is a lightweight option that is suitable for data-driven mobile, desktop, or web applications. In this article, we will learn how to install SQL Server 2019 Express edition step by step, along with some useful tips for the installation process.
Step 1: Download SQL Server Express edition
To begin, you need to download the SQL Server 2019 Express edition from the official Microsoft website. Visit the download page and click on the “Download now” link to start the download process.
Step 2: Start the installation
After downloading the setup package, locate the installation file (SQL2019-SSEI-Expr.exe) and right-click on it. Select the “Open” option to start the installation process. Make sure that the logged-on user has the necessary rights to install programs on the computer.
Step 3: Choose the installation type
During the installation, you will be prompted to choose the installation type. The “Basic” installation method is the quickest and easiest option, as it installs the SQL Server Database Engine with the default configuration. Alternatively, you can choose the “Custom” installation method for more advanced options and configurations.
Step 4: Set the installation path
In the next screen, you can set the path for the setup files to be downloaded. Once you have specified the path, click the “Install” button to start the downloading process. The duration of this operation may vary depending on your internet connection speed.
Step 5: Install SQL Server Express edition
After the download is complete, the SQL Server Installation Center will appear. Here, you can choose to install additional features such as SQL Server Reporting Service, SQL Server Management Studio, or SQL Server Data Tools. Select the “New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation” option to proceed with the installation.
Step 6: Configure the installation
Follow the on-screen instructions to accept the license terms, check the computer configurations, and select the features you want to install. You can also specify the installation path and configure the startup type and service account for the SQL Server Database Engine.
Step 7: Set authentication mode
In the Database Engine Configuration screen, you can choose the authentication mode for the SQL Server. The “Windows authentication mode” is recommended as it allows SQL logins to be controlled by the Windows operating system. However, you can also select the “Mixed Mode” option, which allows both Windows authentication and SQL Server authentication.
Step 8: Complete the installation
Once you have completed the configuration settings, the installation will begin. You can monitor the progress of the installation in the Installation Progress screen. After the installation is finished, you will see the Complete screen, which provides information about the result of the installation.
Step 9: Test the connection
After installing SQL Server Express, you can connect to the SQL Server Database Engine using SQL Server Management Studio. Use the following server notation to open a connection: COMPUTERNAME\SQLEXPRESS. You can also test the connection through the command prompt using SQLCMD.
Step 10: Enable TCP/IP connection
By default, the TCP/IP protocol is disabled. To enable it, open SQL Server Configuration Manager and find the Protocols for SQL Express option. Enable the TCP/IP protocol and change the TCP Port to 1433 under the IPAll tab. Restart SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS) for the changes to take effect.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned how to install SQL Server Express edition step by step. By following these instructions, you can easily complete the installation process of SQL Server 2019 Express edition. SQL Server Express is a powerful tool for lightweight data-driven applications, and it provides a free and feature-limited option for developers.