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StepbyStep:InstallingSQLServerManagementStudio2008ExpressafterVisualStudio2010BethMassiSharingthegoodnessSiteHomeMSD

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Beth Massi
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StepbyStep: Installing SQL Server Management Studio 2008

Express after Visual Studio 2010
Beth Massi Microsoft

18 Feb 2011 8:14 AM

504

UPDATE 7/31/2012 Since this post new versions of SQL Server & Visual Studio have been released. To install the
latest version of SQL Server see SQL Server Install. For more information on working with SQL Server Local DB in
Visual Studio 2012 see Working with SQL Server LocalDB in Visual Studio 2012and the MSDN Library SQL Server 2012
Express LocalDB.
One of the first things I always do after installing Visual Studio is to install SQL Server Management Studio SSMS. Visual
Studio 2010 installs SQL Server 2008 Express on your machine but doesnt include SSMS. Although you can use Visual
Studio to create/connect/design databases, I like having SSMS around for advanced management. I recall SSMS for SQL
Server 2005 was a simple install, unfortunately they threw the kitchen sink into the SSMS 2008 installer and Im always
confused at which buttons I need to push to get it to do what I want. So Im writing up this blog post for two reasons 1 So
I remember the steps and 2 So you can be less frustrated : BTW, a birdie tells me that the SQL team is looking at
making this installer much simpler in the future. Hooray!
Okay the first thing you need is to make sure you get the right version of SSMS. If you installed Visual Studio 2010 then
you will need the 2008 version not R2.
STEP 1: Download Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express and select either
SQLManagementStudio_x64_ENU.exe or SQLManagementStudio_x86_ENU.exe depending on your machines OS bitness.
Im running Windows 764bit so Ill be detailing the steps as it pertains to that OS.
STEP 2: Make sure youre logged in as an administrator of the machine then rightclick on the exe you downloaded and
select Run as Administrator. If youre on Windows 7 then youll get a compatibility warning. Click past it for now to
continue with the install. Later youll need to apply SQL 2008 Service Pack 2.
STEP 3: You should now see the SQL Server Installation Center window. Yes it looks scary. Select the Installation tab.

STEP 4: Select New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation. It will then run a rule
check. Make sure there are no failures and then click OK.

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STEP 5: The next step is misleading. The Setup Support Files window looks like its doing something and stuck on
Gathering user settings. Its actually waiting for you to click the Install button! Doh!

STEP 6: Another rule check. Youll probably end up with a Windows Firewall warning this time. If you want to enable
remote access to SQL Server youll need to configure the firewall later. Since Im using SQL Server Express for development
purposes on this machine only, I wont need to worry about that. Click Next.

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STEP 7: Okay here is the step I always mess up because its just not intuitive at all. On the Installation Type window you
have a choice between Perform a new installation of SQL Server 2008 OR Add features to an existing instance of SQL
Server 2008. You need to select new installation, NOT add features. I know I know, totally weird. You would think that
since you just want to add SSMS that it would be Add features to existing instance I mean I dont want a new instance,
just the dang tools. Sigh. Click Next.

STEP 8: Next you get the Product Key window. You obviously dont need a product key for SQL Server Express since its
free so just click Next.

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STEP 9: Accept the License Terms and click Next.

STEP 10: Okay now for the window weve all been waiting for Feature Selection. Check off Management Tools Basic
and then click Next.

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STEP 11: Verify your disk space requirements and click Next.

STEP 12: Help Microsoft improve SQL Server features and services by selecting to send usage and error reports to them or
not. Click Next.

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STEP 13: Another quick rule check runs. Click Next.

STEP 14: Now it looks like were ready to install. Click the Install button.

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The install will kick off and will take about 5 minutes to complete.
STEP 15: Once the installation completes, click the Next button again.

STEP 16: Complete! Click the Close button and you should be all set.

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STEP 17: Fire up SQL Server Management Studio! You should now see it in your Programs under Microsoft SQL Server
2008. Make sure you run it as an administrator for access to all the features.

And dont forget at some point to install the latest SQL Server 2008 Service Pack. I hope this helps people who have just
installed Visual Studio 2010 but also want to install SQL Server Management Studio. I know Ill be referring to my own post
on this when I need to do it again :
Enjoy!

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Comments
18 Feb 2011 9:13 AM
Brian Schnackel

Very helpful, Beth. The pictures remind me of some of my project documentation.

This is a great example of one of the several instances I have encountered recently where setup installer processes
stray from the installer operation patterns what we all get familiar and comfortable with.
My solution to that problem is to use VMs, and incrementally snapshot each "correct" step as the system is being
built. Then, getting it "right" only has to happen once. :
It seems to me that when I encountered this myself, I installed R2 express, had it upgrade the existing express
instance, along with adding SSMS, but it was long enough ago that I don't remember for sure, but I know I was
pleased enough with the results of my installation...
18 Feb 2011 9:23 AM
Beth Massi Microsoft

Hi Brian,
Yes the installer is the same for installing new/upgrades to SQL Server 2008 & R2. What drives me crazy is that if
you *just* want SSMS you need to go through all these steps too.
I too am a firm believer in VMs. I live off of bootable VHDs. Being on the VS team I have a lot of internal builds to
install of VS so I am also semifrequently installing SSMS on the VMs :
Cheers!
19 Feb 2011 3:52 AM
JimDev E

Great article
I have SQL 2008 Standard installed with Mgt Studio. I need to also have Expess for all the demo's and learning
tutorials that have Express files included in the download.
What is the best way to install side by side having problems Express.
20 Feb 2011 3:22 PM
Beth Massi Microsoft

Hi JimDev E
If you have SQL Server standard edition you really don't need Express, you can attach the same MDF database files
to your SQL Server instance and then just change the connection string to point to your .\SQLSERVER instance.
Check this out:
msdn.microsoft.com/.../ms190209v=SQL.100.aspx
HTH,
B
21 Feb 2011 3:21 AM
JimDev

Hi Beth
I tried that many times and sometimes it works and sometimes I get an error similar to "The path so and so does
not exist" Like the path where the MDF should exist is hardcoded in the file itself or something.
Thanks for the pingback though.
27 Feb 2011 7:14 AM
Fred A

Hi Beth,
After running SQL Server SP2 on Windows 7 x64 did it upgrade your SSMS to 10.2.4000.0 or did it leave it at
10.50.1600.1? Both my Win3k3 x32 bit and Vista x32 systems have been upgraded to 10.2.4000.0.
All of your publications are great!!!
25 Mar 2011 12:36 AM
bob

good tutorial on how to install this, i'm having hug problem installing sql server 2008... thanks...... in my case i just

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update sql server 2008 to sp2, before i install sql server 2008. visual studio 2010 have install sql server R2..... anyway
thanks again beth.... i got error when luch ssms "The file %CommonDir%\vslangproj80.olb could not be loaded. An
attempt to repair this condition failed because the file could not be found."
6 Apr 2011 7:41 AM
David

Your instructions are very useful and clear so I've referenced this page on my class website. Hope you don't mind.
www.cop1000.com/.../Announcements.aspx
16 Apr 2011 12:03 PM
Oskar

Thanks for this explicit stepbystep guide. This installation procedure is completely FUBAR, even for Microsoft.
23 May 2011 2:47 AM
Henry

Very helpful, Thank you!

25 May 2011 10:02 AM
Larry E

Thank you very much Beth. Your instructions are very helpful.
16 Jun 2011 7:54 AM
Nizampuria

good effort dear.....

23 Jun 2011 5:43 PM
MCaf

Thank you. I was already giving the installation when I found your tutorial. you saved me
29 Jun 2011 10:51 PM
Noam

Thank you so much. It saved me a lot of time. Good work!!

6 Jul 2011 7:00 AM
Shashank

Thank Somuch...This article really helped me. All weard steps.

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