In this guide, we'll walk you step-by-step through installing SQL Server Developer Edition and the tool you’ll use to interact with your databases that is SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
How to Install SQL Server : Beginner’s Guide
Getting Started
If you're new to databases and want a SQL Server installation guide then this post is best for you. It will guide you for SQL Server download, installation of SQL Serer and SQL Server Management Studio.
Microsoft SQL Server () offers 6–7 main editions as of recent versions like SQL Server 2019 & 2022, with Enterprise, Standard, Developer, and Express being the most common. SQL Server Developer Edition is a free, full-featured edition of Microsoft SQL Server intended for development and testing purposes (not for production use)
What You'll Need- A Windows PC (Windows 10 or later)
- Internet connection
- Around 1–2 GB of free disk space
Download SQL Server
- Go to the official Microsoft download page by blicking on the SQL Server download link
- Scroll down to the Developer edition (it’s free!) and click Download now.
- Save the installer (usually named something like SQL2019-SSEI-Dev.exe or SQL2022-SSEI-Dev.exe).
SQL Server Installation Steps
Here’s a clear and complete step-by-step guide to installing SQL Server on a Windows system:- Run the installer you just downloaded.
- Choose Installation Type: You’ll see three options
- Basic – quick install with default settings (best for beginners)
- Custom – allows advanced configuration
- Download Media – saves the installer files to use later
- Choose "Choose" to get started quickly.
- The SQL Server Installation Center will open.
- Click “New SQL Server stand-alone installation”
- Choose: Developer, Express, or Enter your license key if you have one
- Accept the license terms and click Next
- The installer checks for issues, Click Next if all checks pass
- Select features you need: Selection of Database Engine Services is mendatory
- Click Next
- Instance Configuration
- Choose: Default instance (e.g.,
MSSQLSERVER) Or Named instance (e.g.,SQL2019) - Click Next
- Choose: Default instance (e.g.,
- Server Configuration
- Accept default service accounts
- Set startup types (leave as automatic)
- Click Next
- Database Engine Configuration
- Choose Windows Authentication (default) or Mixed Mode (SQL + Windows) and set a strong SA password if Mixed Mode
- Click Add Current User(Optionally add other users)
- Click Next
- Installation Progress
- Review the summary
- Click Install
- Wait for installation to complete
- Installation should show a success message after complete the SQL Server Installation
- Click Close
After you click the Close button, SQL server will prompt you to download the Install SQL Server Management Studio or follow the below steps to install
Install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
- Download from: https://aka.ms/ssms
- Install it to manage your databases easily
Summary
You’ve successfully installed SQL Server and SSMS. You’re ready to dive into the world of databases and start learning SQL. I hope this was helpful to you.
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