How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (2024)

Download and Install Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft. The product’s primary function is to store and retrieve the data as requested by the user or another application. These SQL functions can either run on the same system or another over a network.

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This tutorial will guide you step-by-step through the process of actively downloading and installing SQL Server. By following these instructions, you will be able to successfully download and install SQL Server on your system.

  • How to Download Microsoft SQL Server?
  • Prerequisites for SQL Server Installation
  • How to Install an SQL Server?

How to Download Microsoft SQL Server?

In this section, we will understand how to download a Microsoft SQL Server. The steps mentioned below need to be followed for the same:

  • Search for Microsoft SQL Server
  • Select SQL Server Downloads from the Microsoft site [the first search result in the snapshot]
  • The site contains two options available for free editions [you will get them by scrolling down]
    • Developer edition
    • Express edition

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Prerequisites for SQL Server Installation

For the steps to install SQL Server, we will first download the Developer Edition. For this,

  • Click on Download Now, and the Developer Edition will start downloading.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (1)

  • Once the download is completed, the file will be available in the downloads folder, or any other folder you have specified, as SQLServer2017-SSCI-Dev.

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SQL Server Installation

  • Click on the file, SQLServer2017-SSCI-Dev, and you will find a window with three options: Basic, Custom, and Download Media.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (2)

  • Choose Custom, since we want the Developer Edition, and you will find a path for it below Media Location. You can either retain the default one or specify a customized path.

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How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (3)

MS SQL Server InstallationMS SQL Server Installation

  • In the snapshot, the default path is retained as it is in Media Location.
  • Once the path is selected, click on Install to begin the installation.
  • A message, ‘Your SQL Server Installation will begin shortly’ will appear, and you will find a pop-up screen of the SQL Server Installation Center.

How to Install an SQL Server?

  • A pop-up window of the SQL Server Installation Center appears, containing two columns.
  • Select Installation from the left-side column, and once selected, you will find multiple options on the right-side column.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (5)

  • Select the first option from the right-side column, where you choose from New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation.
  • Wait for it to process, and then you will have a window ‘SQL Server 2017 Setup’ where you click on Next.

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How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (6)

  • Select Perform a new installation of SQL Server 2017, and then click on Next.
  • Select the free edition from Specify a free edition, and then click on Next.
  • Accept the license terms.
  • The display screen takes you to the features of SQL Server 2017.
  • There are many options available, but in this blog, we will be selecting Database Engine Services.
  • Click on Next.

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How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (7)

  • The next step involves Instance Configuration.
  • Give the details in the Instance Name and Instance ID fields, then click Next.
  • Here, in the snapshot, I have given the Name instance as SPARATA and the same appears for Instance ID as well.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (8)

  • The Server Configuration screen is displayed, on which you must click Next.
  • Now, on the screen, you will find two authentication modes namely, Windows authentication Mode and Mix Mode.
  • Select Mix Mode, enter the desired password, and then confirm the password.
  • Select the user by clicking on Add Current User; this will add the current user now.
  • Click on Next.
  • Once the Current User is added, the SQL Server is ready to be installed.
  • Now, click on Next, and the installation process takes place.
  • Once the installation process is complete, you’re redirected back to the SQL Server Installation Center.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (9)

Now, you will also have to install the SQL Server Management Tools; this tool will help you connect with the database.

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  • Click on Install SQL Server Management Tools, and it will redirect you to the Microsoft web page.
  • Download the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio, and you will find the downloaded file in your folder as SSMS-Setup-ENU.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (10)

  • Click on the file and install the studio.
  • Once the installation is completed, search for Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.
  • The SQL Server Management Studio is launched, and you will find a pop-up, Connect to Server.
  • Enter the password that you had entered before with Login as is and click on Connect.

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (11)
This brings us to the end of this section. Here, we learned how to download the Microsoft SQL Server, what a Microsoft SQL Server Developer Edition is, the prerequisites for the Microsoft SQL Server installation, and how to install the SQL Server.

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How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? (2024)

FAQs

How to Download and Install SQL Server on Windows for Free? ›

SQL Server 2022 Express is a free edition of SQL Server, ideal for development and production for desktop, web, and small server applications.

Can I download SQL Server for free? ›

SQL Server 2022 Express is a free edition of SQL Server, ideal for development and production for desktop, web, and small server applications.

What is the free version of SQL Server called? ›

SQL Server Express, Microsoft's free database edition, can be utilized in the Azure Cloud by installing on an Azure Virtual Machine (VM) – for developing small server-driven applications.

Is Microsoft SQL Server Management free? ›

Microsoft® SQL Server® 2022 Express is a powerful and reliable free data management system that delivers a rich and reliable data store for lightweight Web Sites and desktop applications.

How to download SQL Server 2014 for free? ›

Downloading SQL Server Express 2014

From your desktop, open your preferred browser. Go to: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=42299. Select the language from the drop-down box and click Download. A window will appear for you to choose the files you wish to download.

How much does it cost to download SQL? ›

SQL Server 2022 pricing1
EditionsOpen no-level price (US dollar)Channel availability
Standard - per core$3,945Volume licensing, hosting
Standard - server$989Volume licensing, hosting
Standard - CAL$230Volume licensing, hosting
DeveloperFreeFree download
3 more rows

Is MySQL still free? ›

MySQL is open source

Anybody can download MySQL software from the internet and use it without paying for it. You can also change its source code to suit your needs. MySQL software uses the GNU General Public License (GPL) to define what you may and may not do with the software in different situations.

How to get free SQL? ›

If you want a structured SQL course, here are some of the most popular free courses for learning SQL.
  1. Codecademy. ...
  2. Khan Academy. ...
  3. Stanford University. ...
  4. FreeCodeCamp. ...
  5. Datacamp. ...
  6. SQLCourse. ...
  7. W3Schools. ...
  8. SQLZoo.
Jan 17, 2024

Which SQL Server should I install? ›

While we find that SQL Server Express is sufficient for most firms, factors such as the number of concurrent users, the amount of data, any additional applications needed within your firm, and so forth, may require that you install and use an upgraded version of SQL Server.

Which version of SQL Server is best? ›

You should consider SQL Server 2017 if…

You want easier future upgrades – because starting with 2017, you can have a Distributed Availability Group with different versions of SQL Server in it.

How expensive is a SQL Server? ›

SQL Server is available for different prices, depending on your professional needs. SQL Server 2019 Developer and SQL Server 2019 Express can both be downloaded for free; SQL Standard (CAL) costs $209; SQL Standard (server) is offered for $899; SQL Standard (per core) is $3,586; SQL Enterprise is available for $13,748.

Do SQL servers cost money? ›

SQL Server pricing is based on the licensing model. The starting price is zero but if you want more features you can choose different types of editions according to your needs. Also, note that volume licensing is a bit cheaper. The pricing below is from SQL Server 2022 versions.

What is the difference between SQL Server and SSMS? ›

Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for managing any SQL infrastructure, from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database. SSMS provides tools to configure, monitor, and administer instances of SQL Server and databases.

Is Microsoft SQL Server 2014 free? ›

Microsoft® SQL Server® 2014 Express is a powerful and reliable free data management system that delivers a rich and reliable data store for lightweight Web Sites and desktop applications.

What is the free version of SQL Server 2016? ›

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 SP2 Express is a free, feature-rich editions of SQL Server that is ideal for learning, developing, powering desktop, web; small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.

How do I download SQL Server license key? ›

To find your product key, you start by downloading and running setup for SQL Server.
  1. Download SQL Server.
  2. Run SQL Server setup and copy the prepopulated key:
  3. Download Reporting Services, run setup, and paste the key:
Feb 22, 2024

Is there any free SQL? ›

PostgreSQL is an enterprise-class open source database management system. It is one of the best free databases that supports both SQL for relational and JSON for non-relational queries.

Are there any free SQL programs? ›

Microsoft SQL Server Express: The Free Version

It offers all the essential database management programs needed to store, retrieve, and manage data effectively.

How to use SQL Server without installation? ›

If you don't want to install an SQL server locally, then use of an Internet-hosted SQL server might be an option. The main thing is that the SQL service port must be accessible to execute queries. Also might add that if you are unfamiliar with SQL, there are security gotchas to beware of.

Is SQL Server free for commercial use? ›

Microsoft SQL Server Express is a version of Microsoft's SQL Server relational database management system that is free to download, distribute and use. It comprises a database specifically targeted for embedded and smaller-scale applications.

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