Overview

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition (SQL Server Express) is a powerful and reliable data management product that delivers rich 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 Express is available at no cost, and you are free to redistribute it with applications. SQL Server Express is designed to integrate seamlessly with your other server infrastructure investments. For more information about SQL Server Express, see the SQL Server Express page on MSDN.

For information about the different editions of SQL Server 2005, see the feature comparison page.

System requirements

Supported operating systems: Windows 2000 Service Pack 4, Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1, Windows XP Service Pack 2

• Computer with Intel or compatible Pentium III 600 MHz or faster processor (1 GHz or faster is recommended.)
• Minimum of 192 MB of RAM (512 MB or more is recommended.)
• 525 MB of available hard disk space

Instructions

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

Step 1: Download and install Windows Installer 3.1.

Step 2: For 32-bit platforms, download and install the 32-bit version of Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0. For 64-bit platforms (x64 and EMT64 only), download and install the 64-bit version of Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.

Step 3: Download SQL Server Express by clicking the SQLExpr.exe link later on this page. To start the installation immediately, click Run. To install SQL Server Express at a later time, click Save. SQLExpr.exe is a self-extracting installation package of SQL Server Express.

Step 4: Follow the installation instructions provided in the Readme.

Additional information

• SQL Server Express is supported on x64 and EMT64 systems in Windows On Windows (WOW). SQL Server Express is not supported on IA64 systems.



• If you have questions about SQL Server Express, visit the SQL Server 2005 forums on MSDN.



• If you want to remove SQL Server 2005, we recommend that you use Add or Remove Programs in Control Panel. If Add or Remove Programs does not uninstall SQL Server 2005, you can follow the steps to manually uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2005 in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.



• To manage SQL Server Express by using a free, easy-to-use management tool, download and install SQL Server Management Studio Express.



• Register your personal copy of SQL Server Express.



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



• Help improve SQL Server Express by submitting bugs to the MSDN Product Feedback Center.