In this SQL Server tutorial, let us learn, how to install sql server 2019 express on windows 10 step by step, how to install sql server management studio 2019 on windows 10. Also, we will cover:
- Introduction to SQL server 2019 express
- Is SQL Server Express 2019 Free?
- Difference between SQL Server 2019 Express Edition vs Developer edition
- What are the advantages of SQL Server 2019 Express
- SQL Server 2019 Express limitations
- Installation requirements to install SQL server express 2019
- How to install SQL server 2019 express on windows 10 step by step
- Why we require SQL Server Management Studio?
- How to install SQL server management studio 2019 on windows 10
Introduction to SQL server 2019 express
Before installing SQL Server Express, we will discuss what is SQL Server 2019 express edition and why should we use it.
- SQL server 2019 Express is a free edition of SQL server mainly designed to run on small-scaled web servers and desktop applications.
- Express edition is suitable for people who do not have robust hardware and want to learn and experience SQL server environments.
- SQL server 2019 express is a great choice for small vendors and developers. It has limited features as it is a free edition but it can be upgraded according to the requirements.
Is SQL Server Express 2019 Free?
SQL Server Express 2019 is free for developers who want to use the features and functionality of SQL Server without paying any charges. You do not need a paid license to use it for development and testing.
Read: How to Create a Database in SQL Server 2019
SQL Server 2019 Developer edition vs Express Edition
The following table shows a few differences between SQL Server Developer Edition and SQL Server Express Edition.
Developer Edition | Express Edition |
---|---|
It has all the features which are available in the Enterprise edition. But, it cannot be used for the production environment. | It has limited features as compared to the developer edition as it is designed to learn about the basic working of the SQL Server. |
The Developer edition is suitable for developers of all levels (beginner to Professionals). | Express Edition is suitable for students and entry-level developers. |
The Developer edition cannot be used in a production environment. It can only be used in the development and test environment. | The Express edition can be used in a production environment, but, with limited storage, memory, and computing power |
Multiple users can use the same database concurrently. | Multiple users cannot use the same instance concurrently. But if you want a multiuser environment, you have to create multiple instances. |
SQL Server 2019 Express Advantages
Here are a few advantages of sql server 2019 express edition.
- SQL Server Express is free and can be installed on n number of systems.
- This Express Edition is lightweight to run on a machine due to its very less requirement of resources.
- SQL Server can be upgraded to the Developer edition by purchasing the subscription.
- Few features are provided for free in SQL Express for which users have to pay extra if they use it externally.
- SQL Server Express 2019 provides security implementations that are not expected from this much lightweight and free software.
SQL Server 2019 Express Limitations
Here are a few limitations of sql server 2019 express edition.
- SQL Server 2019 Express Edition has fewer features than Developer or Enterprise Edition.
- You cannot scale it for free. You have to upgrade it to Developer of Enterprise edition to get the scalability feature.
- The lack of SQL Agent results in the absence of various background services like automatic backup, scheduling the jobs, managing user permissions, and monitoring databases.
Installation Requirements to Install SQL Server Express 2019
In this section, we will learn about the Hardware and Software requirements to install SQL Express Edition on Windows 10.
Hardware & Software | Requirement |
---|---|
Processor | All these processors must be 64-bit: AMD Athlon 64, AMD Opteron, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support |
The minimum Processor speed should be: 1.4 GHz for 64-bit Architecture Recommended Processor speed should be 2.0 GHz or faster. | |
Memory Requirement | Minimum memory required is 512 MB. Recommended memory is 1 GB or above. |
Hard Disk Requirement | Minimum 6 GB of secondary memory is required for installation. |
Operating System | Windows 10 TH1 1507 or greater Windows Server 2016 or greater |
Others | .NET Framework |
How to Install SQL Server 2019 Express on Windows 10
In this section, we will learn how to install SQL Server 2019 Express on a windows machine with examples and pictures.
- Download SQL Server Express Edition executable file from the Official Microsoft Website.
- Once downloaded click on the executable file and allow the admin privilege window if prompted.

- Click on the Basic Installation option available on the window. It will install the SQL Server Express with default settings. But if you are familiar with SQL configurations you can also go for Custom installation.
- Accept the terms and conditions and specify the installation path, then click Install.

- A default instance will be created by the SQL Server.
- We can create our own customized instance by clicking on Customize. Otherwise, click on Connect Now button to connect to the SQL server selected instance.

- The SQL terminal will be opened. Now you can run the SQL queries on the command prompt.

This is how to install sql server 2019 express on windows 10 step by step.
Why do we require SQL Server Management Studio?
Now, you will get to know what is SQL Server Management Studio and the features provided.
- In SQL Server Management Studio, it becomes easy to manage, access, and configure the database infrastructure as it is an integrated development environment.
- All the tools related to the development of database infrastructure are in a single place.
- Provides features like Integration Services, which can be used to import, export, and monitor packages.
- SQL Server Management Studio provides a number of security features.
- SQL SMS also provides reporting services like assigning roles and privileges to specific users
How to install sql server management studio 2019 on Windows 10
Let us see, how to install sql server management studio 2019 on windows 10.
- Download the SQL Server Management Studio 2019 from the official Microsoft website.
- Once you run the executable file, the following window will appear. Select the path where you want to install the SQL Server management studio and then click Install.

- Once installed, open the SQL Server Management Studio from the Start menu under Microsoft SQL Server Tools 18 folder.

- Now you can enter the database access credentials and connect to the database.

This is how to install sql server management studio 2019 on windows 10.
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In this tutorial, we have learned about how to install SQL Server 2019 Express Edition and SQL Server Management Studio on Windows 10.
- Introduction to SQL server 2019 express
- Is SQL Server Express 2019 Free?
- SQL Server 2019 Express Edition vs Developer edition
- What are the advantages of SQL Server 2019 Express
- Limitations of SQL Server 2019 Express
- Installation requirements to install SQL server express 2019
- How to install SQL server 2019 express on windows 10 step by step
- Why we require SQL Server Management Studio?
- How to install SQL server management studio 2019 on windows 10
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