Download and Install SQL Server 2016 Express LocalDB (SqlLocalDB)
How to Download and Install SQL Server 2016 Express Edition
SQL Server 2016 Express Edition is a free, feature-rich, and lightweight version of Microsoft's popular relational database management system (RDBMS). It is ideal for learning, developing, and deploying data-driven applications for desktop, web, and small server environments. In this article, we will show you how to download and install SQL Server 2016 Express Edition on your Windows machine.
What is SQL Server 2016 Express Edition?
SQL Server 2016 Express Edition is one of the editions of SQL Server 2016, which also include Enterprise, Standard, Web, and Developer editions. SQL Server 2016 Express Edition has the following characteristics:
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It is free to download, use, and distribute.
It supports up to 10 GB of data per database.
It supports up to 1 GB of memory and 1 CPU socket per instance.
It includes all the core database engine features, such as transactions, backup and restore, security, encryption, and data compression.
It also includes some advanced features, such as Query Store, Temporal Tables, JSON support, PolyBase query engine, Stretch Database, Always Encrypted, Dynamic Data Masking, Row Level Security, and In-Memory OLTP.
It supports common development tools for on-premises and cloud applications.
Benefits of SQL Server 2016 Express Edition
Some of the benefits of using SQL Server 2016 Express Edition are:
It is free and easy to install and use.
It provides a rich and reliable data store for lightweight web sites and desktop applications.
It allows you to learn and practice SQL Server features and skills without any cost or license restrictions.
It enables you to develop and test applications that can be easily upgraded to other SQL Server editions if needed.
It offers high performance, security, scalability, and manageability capabilities for small-scale data-driven applications.
Limitations of SQL Server 2016 Express Edition
Some of the limitations of using SQL Server 2016 Express Edition are:
It has a database size limit of 10 GB per database.
It has a memory limit of 1 GB per instance.
It has a CPU socket limit of 1 per instance.
It does not include some features that are available in other SQL Server editions, such as Analysis Services, Reporting Services, Integration Services, Master Data Services, Data Quality Services, Power Pivot for SharePoint, Data Mining, Business Intelligence clients, Spatial and location services, and Additional database services.
It does not support some scenarios that require high availability or scalability features, such as Always On Availability Groups or Failover Clustering.
How to Download SQL Server 2016 Express Edition
You can download SQL Server 2016 Express Edition from different sources depending on your preferences and needs. Here are some options:
Download from Microsoft website
The easiest way to download SQL Server 2016 Express Edition is from the official Microsoft website. You can find the download link here: . You can choose between different languages and file formats. The file size is about 5.7 GB. You will need to accept the license terms and conditions before downloading the file. You will also need to provide some basic information, such as your name, email, and country.
Download from other sources
If you prefer to download SQL Server 2016 Express Edition from other sources, you can also find some alternative links on the internet. However, you should be careful and make sure that the source is trustworthy and the file is not corrupted or infected with malware. Some of the possible sources are:
: This is a third-party website that provides a direct download link for the SQL Server 2016 Express Edition (64-bit) file. The file size is about 5.7 GB. You will need to click on the "Download Now" button and wait for the download to start.
: This is another third-party website that provides a direct download link for the SQL Server 2016 Express Edition (32-bit) file. The file size is about 4.2 GB. You will need to click on the "Download Now" button and wait for the download to start.
: This is a torrent website that provides an ISO file for SQL Server 2016 Express Edition. The file size is about 5.8 GB. You will need to have a torrent client installed on your computer and click on the "Download Torrent" button to start the download.
How to Install SQL Server 2016 Express Edition
After you have downloaded the SQL Server 2016 Express Edition file, you can proceed to install it on your Windows machine. Here are some steps to follow:
System requirements
Before you install SQL Server 2016 Express Edition, you should check if your system meets the minimum requirements for running it. Here are some of the requirements:
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Component
Requirement
Operating system
Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7 Service Pack 1, Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012, or Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1
Processor
x64 Processor: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T supportx86 Processor: Pentium III-compatible processor or faster
Memory
Minimum: 512 MBRecommended: At least 4 GB and should be increased as database size increases to ensure optimal performance.
Disk space
Minimum: 6 GB of available hard disk spaceRecommended: At least 10 GB of available hard disk space
Other software
.NET Framework 4.6Windows Installer 4.5 or laterInternet Explorer 9 or later
Installation steps
To install SQL Server 2016 Express Edition, you can follow these steps:
Double-click on the downloaded file to launch the SQL Server Installation Center.
Select "New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation".
Enter your product key or select "Evaluation" if you want to use the free edition.
Accept the license terms and conditions and click "Next".
Select "Install" to install the setup files and wait for them to complete.
Select "Custom" as the installation type and choose a location for your installation files.
Select "Install" again to install the shared features and wait for them to complete.
Select "Database Engine Services" as the feature to install and click "Next".
Select "Named instance" as the instance type and enter a name for your instance.
Select "Next" to configure your server settings.
Select "Mixed Mode" as the authentication mode and enter a strong password for your system administrator account (sa).
Add any other users or groups that you want to have administrative privileges on your server.
Select " Next" to configure your data directories and tempdb settings.
Select "Next" to configure your reporting services and error reporting settings.</li