Lecture 6: SQL Server Installation

1. Preparation and Edition Selection

Installing Microsoft SQL Server correctly is critical for preventing future administrative lockouts. After downloading and extracting the .rar file, the primary installer SQLServer2025-STDDEV-x64-ENU.exe is launched.

• You must select "New SQL Server standalone installation".
• For the Edition, you must deliberately choose Standard Developer. This edition provides the massive, uncompromised power of the Enterprise edition but is licensed entirely for free strictly for development and non-production testing.

2. Critical Configuration Steps

• Azure Extension: A prompt will actively suggest enabling the "Azure Extension for SQL Server." For local development, this must be explicitly unchecked to avoid forced Azure cloud integrations and hybrid security complexities.
• Feature Selection: Only the Database Engine Services box should be checked. This installs the absolute core service required to host, process, and secure relational tables.
• Instance Configuration: Select the Default instance (MSSQLSERVER). A "Named instance" is only utilized if your machine already hosts a pre-existing SQL Server default installation.

3. The Most Important Step: Database Engine Configuration

This step decides how you will authenticate into your server.

• You must abandon the default and explicitly select Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication).
• Mixed mode forces the creation of a highly secure password for the built-in system administrator account, universally known as sa.
• Additionally, you must click the Add Current User button. This action reads your active Windows user profile and injects it into the SQL Server security matrix, granting your local account unrestricted administrative power over the Database Engine.

4. Post-Installation

The engine alone operates entirely in the background without a graphical interface. Therefore, after the setup wizard completes, you must execute a secondary installer—SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe—to install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).