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title SQL Server Installation Guide
description An index of content that helps you install SQL Server and associated components using options such as the installation wizard, command prompt, or sysprep.
author rwestMSFT
ms.author randolphwest
ms.date 11/18/2025
ms.service sql
ms.subservice install
ms.topic conceptual
ms.custom
ignite-2025
helpviewer_keywords
AdventureWorks sample database
installing SQL Server, preparing to install
installation [SQL Server]
monikerRange >=sql-server-2016

SQL Server installation guide

[!INCLUDE SQL Server - Windows Only]

This article is an index of content that provides guidance for installing [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] on Windows.

For other deployment scenarios, see:

Beginning with [!INCLUDE sssql16-md], [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] is only available as a 64-bit application. Here are important details about how to get [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] and how to install it.

Get started

Important

Beginning with [!INCLUDE sssql25-md], Data Quality Services (DQS), Master Data Services (MDS), Azure Synapse Link, and Reporting Services are removed, and are deprecated on previous versions.

Installation media

The download location for [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] depends on the edition:

  • [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] 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 [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] components can be found here:

Considerations

[!INCLUDE upgrade-warning]

  • 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. [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] installation media could be either on a network share, a mapped drive, a local drive, or presented as an ISO to a virtual machine.

  • [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] Setup installs the following software components required by the product:

SQL Server installation

Article Description
Install SQL Server from the Installation Wizard (Setup) Install [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] using the Installation Wizard GUI launched from the setup.exe setup media.
Install, configure, or uninstall SQL Server on Windows from the command prompt Sample syntax and installation parameters for running a [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] installation from the command prompt.
Install SQL Server on Server Core Install [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] on Windows Server Core.
Check parameters for the System Configuration Checker Discusses the function of the System Configuration Checker (SCC).
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 latest cumulative update.
Install SQL Server with SysPrep Sample syntax and installation parameters for running Setup through SysPrep.
Add Features to an Instance of SQL Server (Setup) Update components of an existing instance of [!INCLUDE ssnoversion].
SQL Server failover cluster installation Install a SQL Server failover cluster instance.
Repair a failed SQL Server installation Repair a corrupt [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] installation.
Rename a computer that hosts a stand-alone instance of SQL Server Update system metadata that is stored in sys.servers after the hostname of a computer hosting a stand-alone instance of SQL Server has been renamed.
Install SQL Server servicing updates Install updates for [!INCLUDE ssnoversion].
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 [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] and the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] features installed on the computer.

Individual component installation

Article Description
Install SQL Server Database Engine Install and configure the [!INCLUDE ssDEnoversion].
Install SQL Server replication Install and configure [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] Replication.
Install Distributed Replay1 Lists articles to install the Distributed Replay feature.
SQL Server Management Tools Install and configure [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] management tools.
SQL Server PowerShell Considerations for installing [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] PowerShell components.

1 Distributed Replay is deprecated in [!INCLUDE sssql22-md].

SQL Server configuration

Article Description
Configure the Windows Firewall to allow SQL Server access Overview of firewall configuration and how to configure the Windows Firewall to allow access to [!INCLUDE ssnoversion].
Configure the Windows Firewall (SSAS) Configure both port and firewall settings to allow access to [!INCLUDE ssASnoversion] or [!INCLUDE power-pivot-md] for SharePoint.
Configure a multi-homed computer for SQL Server access Configure [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] and Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to provide for network connections to an instance of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] in a multi-homed environment.

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