Installation media
The download location for SQL Server depends on the edition:
SQL Server Enterprise, Standard, and Express editions are licensed for production use. For the Enterprise and
Standard Editions, contact your software vendor for the installation media. You can find purchasing information
and a directory of Microsoft partners on the Microsoft licensing page.
If you have a volume licensing agreement, for example an Enterprise Agreement, you can download software from
the Microsoft 365 admin center. The software's activation wizard automatically detects an embedded product key
during installation.
Free versions.
Other SQL Server components can be found here:
Latest updates and version history for SQL Server
SQL Server Reporting Services.
SQL Server Management Studio
Considerations
Caution
If you want to install or upgrade SQL Server to SQL Server 2022 (16.x) or a later version, on Windows Server 2022 or
greater, make sure there are no restarts pending. You should restart Windows first, and then run the SQL Server
installation or upgrade.
Installation fails if you launch setup through Remote Desktop Connection with the media on a local resource in the
RDC client. To install remotely the media must be on a network share or local to the physical or virtual machine.
SQL Server installation media could be either on a network share, a mapped drive, a local drive, or presented as an
ISO to a virtual machine.
SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:
o SQL Server Native Client
o SQL Server Setup support files
SQL Server installation
Article Description
Install SQL Server from the Installation Wizard Install SQL Server using the Installation Wizard GUI launched from the setup
(Setup) setup media.
Install, configure, or uninstall SQL Server on Sample syntax and installation parameters for running a SQL Server installati
Windows from the command prompt from the command prompt.
Install SQL Server on Server Core Install SQL Server on Windows Server Core.
Check parameters for the System Discusses the function of the System Configuration Checker (SCC).
Configuration Checker
Install SQL Server using a configuration file Sample syntax and installation parameters for running Setup through a
configuration file.
Slipstream installation for SQL Server Sample syntax and installation parameters for installing SQL Server with the
Article Description
cumulative update.
Install SQL Server with SysPrep Sample syntax and installation parameters for running Setup through SysPre
Add Features to an Instance of SQL Server Update components of an existing instance of SQL Server.
(Setup)
SQL Server failover cluster installation Install a SQL Server failover cluster instance.
Repair a failed SQL Server installation Repair a corrupt SQL Server installation.
Rename a computer that hosts a stand-alone Update system metadata that is stored in [Link] after the hostname of
instance of SQL Server computer hosting a stand-alone instance of SQL Server has been renamed.
Install SQL Server servicing updates Install updates for SQL Server.
View and read SQL Server Setup log files View and read the errors in the SQL Server setup log files.
Validate a SQL Server installation Review the use of the SQL Discovery report to verify the version of SQL Serv
the SQL Server features installed on the computer.