How to Download and Install SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition (Step-by-Step)

SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition is the fully-featured, free edition for non-production environments. It’s perfect for developers, students, and hobbyists building and testing applications. Unlike the free Express edition, the Developer edition has no database size or performance limits.

Below is a complete guide to downloading and installing it on Windows.

7. First Connection to SQL Server

  1. Open SSMS.
  2. Server type: Database Engine
  3. Server name:
    • For default instance: localhost or . or (local)
    • For named instance: localhost\SQLEXPRESS (or your chosen name)
  4. Authentication:
    • Windows Authentication (your Windows user) – if you added yourself as admin.
    • Or SQL Server Authentication with sa and password.
  5. Click Connect.

✅ You’re now ready to create databases, tables, and run queries.

Step 3: The Installation Process

  1. License Terms: Click "Accept" to agree to the Microsoft Software License Terms.
  2. Feature Selection: The installer will download necessary setup files. It will then ask you to specify the installation location. The default path (C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server) is usually sufficient.
  3. Install: Click the Install button.
    • The installer will now extract packages and install the SQL Server Database Engine. This process may take several minutes depending on your hardware.
  4. Completion: Once finished, you will see a success message. The installer will provide a link to install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Step 5: Post-Installation (Making it work)

Downloading and installing is 90% of the work. Now, you must verify and connect.

11) Post-install checks & recommended steps

  • Enable TCP/IP if remote connections required: SQL Server Configuration Manager → SQL Server Network Configuration → Protocols for → enable TCP/IP, restart service.
  • Open firewall port 1433 if allowing remote access.
  • Install latest updates via Windows Update or SQL Server CU downloads.
  • Back up master key and configure regular backups for user databases.

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Downloading and Installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition: A Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 is a powerful relational database management system that offers a wide range of features and tools for managing and analyzing data. The Developer Edition of SQL Server 2019 is a popular choice among developers, as it provides a comprehensive set of tools and features for building, testing, and deploying database applications. In this article, we will walk you through the process of downloading and installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition.

What is SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition?

SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition is a version of SQL Server that is designed for development and testing purposes. It offers many of the same features as the Enterprise Edition, including support for advanced data types, high-performance data processing, and robust security features. The Developer Edition is ideal for developers who want to build, test, and deploy database applications without incurring the costs associated with the Enterprise Edition.

Key Features of SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

The Developer Edition of SQL Server 2019 includes many of the same features as the Enterprise Edition, including:

  • Support for advanced data types: SQL Server 2019 supports a wide range of data types, including JSON, XML, and spatial data types.
  • High-performance data processing: SQL Server 2019 includes a number of features for high-performance data processing, including columnstore indexes, in-memory OLTP, and parallel data processing.
  • Robust security features: SQL Server 2019 includes a number of security features, including encryption, access control, and auditing.
  • Support for big data: SQL Server 2019 includes support for big data, including Hadoop and Spark.

Downloading SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

To download SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Microsoft website: Go to the Microsoft website and navigate to the SQL Server 2019 download page.
  2. Select the Developer Edition: Click on the "Download" button next to the Developer Edition.
  3. Choose the installation media: You can choose to download the installation media as an ISO file or as a set of individual files.
  4. Download the installation media: Click on the "Download" button to begin downloading the installation media.

Installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

Once you have downloaded the installation media, follow these steps to install SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition:

  1. Extract the installation files: If you downloaded the installation media as an ISO file, extract the files to a folder on your computer.
  2. Run the installation program: Run the installation program by double-clicking on the "setup.exe" file.
  3. Select the installation type: Select the "New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation" option.
  4. Enter the product key: Enter the product key for SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition. If you don't have a product key, you can request one from Microsoft.
  5. Accept the license terms: Accept the license terms and click "Next".
  6. Select the features to install: Select the features you want to install, including the database engine, SQL Server Management Studio, and other tools.
  7. Configure the installation settings: Configure the installation settings, including the installation location and the SQL Server instance name.
  8. Complete the installation: Click "Install" to complete the installation.

Post-Installation Tasks

Once you have installed SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition, you may need to perform a few post-installation tasks, including:

  • Configuring the SQL Server instance: Configure the SQL Server instance to allow remote connections and to set up security features.
  • Installing additional tools: Install additional tools, such as SQL Server Management Studio and the SQL Server command-line tools.
  • Updating the installation: Update the installation to ensure you have the latest patches and updates.

Conclusion

In this article, we walked you through the process of downloading and installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition. We also covered some of the key features of the Developer Edition and provided some post-installation tasks you may need to perform. With SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition, you have a powerful tool for building, testing, and deploying database applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition and the Enterprise Edition? A: The Developer Edition is designed for development and testing purposes, while the Enterprise Edition is designed for production environments.

Q: Can I use SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition for commercial purposes? A: No, the Developer Edition is licensed for development and testing purposes only. If you want to use SQL Server for commercial purposes, you need to purchase a license for the Enterprise Edition.

Q: How much does SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition cost? A: SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition is free to download and use for development and testing purposes.

Q: Can I upgrade from SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition to the Enterprise Edition? A: Yes, you can upgrade from the Developer Edition to the Enterprise Edition by purchasing a license and performing an upgrade installation.

System Requirements

  • Operating System: Windows 10, Windows Server 2016, or later
  • Processor: 2 GHz or faster processor
  • Memory: 4 GB or more of RAM
  • Disk Space: 6 GB or more of free disk space

Additional Resources

To install SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition, you must first download the installation media from the official Microsoft site and then configure the instance through the Installation Center. 1. Pre-Installation Requirements

Ensure your system meets these minimum hardware specifications before starting:

Processor: 64-bit processor with at least 1.4 GHz (2.0 GHz recommended). Memory: Minimum 1 GB RAM (4 GB recommended). Storage: At least 6 GB of available hard drive space.

Operating System: Administrative rights are required for the installation. 2. Download the Installer Hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2019

Downloading SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

  1. Go to the Microsoft website (https://www.microsoft.com) and search for "SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition".
  2. Click on the first result, which should be the official Microsoft page for SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition.
  3. Click on the "Download" button.
  4. You will be taken to the "SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition" page on the Microsoft Visual Studio website.
  5. Click on the "Download" button under the "SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition" section.

Downloading the Installation Media

  1. You will be prompted to select the installation media you want to download. Choose "SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition" and click "Continue".
  2. Select the language and click "Download".
  3. The download will start. You can choose to download the installation media in the following formats:
    • ISO file (approximately 2.5 GB)
    • DVD (approximately 2.5 GB)

Installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

Option 1: Installing from an ISO file

  1. Once the download is complete, locate the ISO file and mount it on your computer.
  2. The installation wizard should launch automatically. If it doesn't, navigate to the mounted ISO file and run the "setup.exe" file.
  3. Click "Install" to begin the installation process.

Option 2: Installing from a DVD

  1. Insert the DVD into your computer's DVD drive.
  2. The installation wizard should launch automatically. If it doesn't, navigate to the DVD drive and run the "setup.exe" file.
  3. Click "Install" to begin the installation process.

Installation Steps

  1. On the "SQL Server Installation Center" page, click "New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation".
  2. On the "License Terms" page, read the terms and conditions and click "I agree to the license terms and conditions".
  3. On the "Feature Selection" page, select the following features:
    • "Database Engine Services"
    • "SQL Server Replication"
    • "Full-Text and Semantic Search"
    • "Reporting Services - Native"
    • "SQL Server Data Tools"
  4. Click "Next".
  5. On the "Instance Configuration" page, select "Default instance" and click "Next".
  6. On the "Server Configuration" page, select the following options:
    • "Windows Authentication"
    • "SQL Server Authentication"
  7. Click "Next".
  8. On the "Database Engine Configuration" page, select the following options:
    • "Mixed Mode" (for authentication)
    • "Enable FILESTREAM"
  9. Click "Next".
  10. On the "Reporting Services Configuration" page, select the following options:
    • "Install and configure"
    • "Native Mode"
  11. Click "Next".
  12. On the "Ready to Install" page, review the installation settings and click "Install".

Post-Installation Steps

  1. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer.
  2. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to your local SQL Server instance.
  3. Update the SQL Server instance to the latest version by running the following command:
UPDATE SERVER
SET SERVERPROPERTY('ProductLevel') = 'CU%'
GO

Paper: SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition Installation Guide

Introduction

SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition is a powerful database management system that provides a comprehensive platform for developing, testing, and deploying database applications. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for downloading and installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition.

System Requirements

  • Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
  • 8 GB RAM (16 GB recommended)
  • 2.5 GB available hard disk space
  • .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later

Downloading and Installing SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

The installation process involves the following steps:

  1. Downloading the installation media from the Microsoft website.
  2. Mounting the ISO file or inserting the DVD into the computer.
  3. Launching the installation wizard and selecting the features to install.
  4. Configuring the instance and server settings.
  5. Completing the installation and restarting the computer.

Post-Installation Steps

After installation, the following steps should be performed:

  1. Updating the SQL Server instance to the latest version.
  2. Opening SQL Server Management Studio and connecting to the local SQL Server instance.

Conclusion

SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition provides a robust and feature-rich platform for developing and testing database applications. By following the steps outlined in this guide, users can easily download and install SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition and start building and deploying database applications.

To help you get set up with SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

, here is a review of the installation process, key features, and what to expect during the download. Developer Edition

is a full-featured free edition of SQL Server, licensed for use as a development and test database in a non-production environment. It includes all the enterprise-level features, making it the go-to choice for programmers and database administrators to build and test applications. Step-by-Step Installation Review 1. Obtaining the Installer The process begins at the official Microsoft SQL Server Downloads

page. You will download a small "bootstrapper" executable (around 5MB). Choose the Download Media

option if you plan to install it on multiple machines or want an ISO file for offline installation; otherwise, the options work fine for a quick setup. 2. Choosing the Installation Type

The fastest way to get a default instance running. It picks all the standard configurations for you. Highly recommended if you want to change the installation path or select specific (like PolyBase or Machine Learning Services). 3. Feature Selection

During a custom install, the "Feature Selection" screen is the most critical. At a minimum, you should check Database Engine Services . If you are doing data analysis, you might also want Analysis Services Shared Features like Client Tools SDK. 4. Instance Configuration You can choose between a Default Instance (MSSQLSERVER) or a Named Instance

. If this is your first time installing SQL Server on your machine, the Default Instance is usually the easiest path. 5. Database Engine Configuration This is where you set your security. Authentication Mode: It is best practice to use Mixed Mode

. This allows you to log in with your Windows account but also creates a system administrator ( ) account for manual SQL logins. Specify SQL Server Administrators: Don’t forget to click the "Add Current User"

button so your Windows account has full permissions immediately. Post-Installation: SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

The SQL Server installer provides the "engine," but it does not include the graphical interface to write queries. After the main installation finishes, you must separately download and install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

. This is the primary tool you will use to create databases, tables, and run T-SQL scripts. Final Verdict SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition

remains a powerhouse for learning and development. The installation is much more streamlined than older versions, though the requirement to download SSMS separately is a minor extra step that beginners often overlook. hardware requirements to ensure your machine can run the 2019 instance smoothly?

SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition is a free, full-featured version designed for development and testing in non-production environments. It includes all the capabilities of the Enterprise edition but is restricted for use in building, testing, and demonstrating applications. Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure your system meets these minimum hardware requirements:

Processor: x64-compatible with a minimum speed of 1.4 GHz (2.0 GHz recommended).

Memory: At least 1 GB (4 GB recommended for optimal performance).

Disk Space: A minimum of 6 GB of available hard drive space. 1. Download the Installer Hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2019