Install SQL Server 2008 Express Edition

This article describes install procedures for SQL Server 2008 Express Edition.

Prerequisites
Before installing, make sure to remove any 2005 Express Edition products, such as Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and Microsoft Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition.

SQL Server Express doesn't include a graphical client interface, so one of the developer packages, Visual Studio Visual Web Developer 2008 Express Edition for example, is required.

Download the latest version of SQL Server Express (RC0 at this writing) and developer packages.

Step-by-Step Installation
Run the installation executable and accept the license terms. Click Next button.



The Installation Prerequisites box appears next. Click Install button.



On the SQL Server Installation Center box, choose New Installation task.



The install script initializes with a System Configuration Check. Provided all goes well, you will see a screen similar to below. Click Next button.



On Feature Selection box, check boxes to install all feature choices.



On Instance Configuration box, accept defaults



Create a user account to run the SQL Server service. Since this is a developer machine, choose username: SqlServer and password: password. Supply this account information on the Server Configuration box. Click Apply to all button, then the Next button.



On the Database Engine Configuration box, under Security Mode, select Mixed Mode and enter password for sa account, for example: password12 (install requires strong password). Click Add Current User button to add current account to the Sql administrators, then Next button.



Accept the defaults on the Error and Usage Reporting box, click Next button.



The Installation Progress box will indicate when all components are successfully installed. Click Next button.



That's it! SQL Server Express is installed and the service should be running. On the Complete box, click the Close button. You may perform other tasks or close the SQL Server Installation Center box.