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Microsoft® SQL Server® 2008 Express Edition Service Pack 1

Brief Description
SQL Server 2008 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that is ideal for learning and building desktop and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.

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Quick Details
Version:10.00.2531.00
Date Published:12/11/2009
Language:English
Download Size:82.3 MB - 563.9 MB*
*Download size depends on selected download components.
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Overview

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express is a powerful and reliable data management system that delivers a rich set of features, data protection, and performance for embedded application clients, light Web applications, and local data stores. Designed for easy deployment and rapid prototyping, SQL Server 2008 Express is available at no cost, and you are free to redistribute it with applications. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with your other server infrastructure investments. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express Service Pack 1 (SP1) is now available in the following two formats:

1. SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the Microsoft .NET Framework version 3.5 SP1 support
2. SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the Microsoft .NET Framework version 4 Beta 2 support

There are no functional changes between these two formats. For more information on SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the Microsoft .NET Framework version 4.0 Beta 2 support, see Knowledge Base article 977813.

For more information about SQL Server Express, including other versions and downloadable components now available, see Microsoft SQL Server Express.

For information about the different editions of SQL Server 2008, see the Editions page.

For more information about SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 1, please review the Release Notes.

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System Requirements

  • Supported Operating Systems: Windows 7; Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2; Windows Server 2008; Windows Server 2008 R2; Windows Vista Service Pack 1; Windows XP Service Pack 3
  • 32-bit systems
    • Computer with Intel or compatible 1GHz or faster processor (2 GHz or faster is recommended. Only a single processor is supported.)
    • Minimum of 256 MB of RAM (1 GB or more is recommended)
    • 1GB of free hard disk space
  • 64-bit systems
    • 1.4 GHz or higher processor (2 GHz or faster is recommended. Only a single processor is supported.)
    • Minimum of 256MB of RAM (1 GB or more is recommended)
    • 1 GB of free hard disk space

Connecting to Visual Studio 2005 requires downloading and installing Visual Studio 2005 Support for SQL Server 2008.

Please read important information in the Release Notes before installing SQL Server 2008 with Visual Studio 2008.

To learn more about what is required to run SQL Server 2008 Express, see the system requirements page.

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Instructions

Note: You must have administrative rights on the computer to install SQL Server 2008 Express.

We recommend that you read the Release Notes and Readme before installing SQL Server 2008 Express.

    Step 1: Download and install Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1.

    Step 2: Download and install Windows Installer 4.5.

    Step 3: Download SQL Server 2008 Express by clicking the appropriate link later on this page. To start the installation immediately, click Run. To install SQL Server Express at a later time, click Save.

    Note: SQL Server 2008 Express includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. SQLEXPR32_x86 is a smaller package that can be used to install SQL Server 2008 Express onto only 32-bit operating systems. SQLEXPR_x86 is the same product but supports installation onto both 32-bit and 64-bit (WoW) operating systems. SQLEXPR_x64 is a native 64-bit SQL Server 2008 Express and supports installation onto only 64-bit operating systems. There is no other difference between these packages.


To download and install SQL Server 2008 Express with .Net Framework 4 Beta 2 support, click the appropriate link:

Note: For computers that have the Microsoft .NET Framework version 2.0 Service Pack 2 (SP2) or the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 installed, you can install either SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 support or SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the .NET Framework 4 Beta 2 support. For computers that have the .NET Framework 4 Beta 2 installed only, install SQL Server 2008 Express SP1 with the .NET Framework 4 Beta 2 support. There are no functional differences between these packages. For more information on installing .NET Framework 4.0 Beta 2, see Knowledge Base article 977813.

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Additional Information

- SQL Server 2008 Express is available for x86 and x64 systems. SQL Server 2008 Express is not supported on IA64 systems.

- See SQL Server Books Online for detailed information on installing and using SQL Server 2008 Express.

- If you have questions about SQL Server 2008 Express, visit the SQL Server 2008 forums on MSDN.

- Register your personal copy of SQL Server 2008 Express.

- Building and shipping applications with SQL Server 2008 Express? Sign up for free redistribution rights here.

- Help improve SQL Server 2008 Express by submitting bugs to Microsoft Connect Feedback.

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Files in This Download

The links in this section correspond to separate files available in this download. Download the files most appropriate for you.
File Name:File Size

SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe

104.3 MB

SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe

95.3 MB

SQLEXPR32_x86_ENU.exe

82.3 MB

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