How To Register Mssql 2016 Express

Past: | Updated: 2020-12-31 | Comments | Related: More than > Express Edition

Problem

SQL Server Express is a free version of SQL Server and this article will encompass all of the aspects of the product you need to know to get started. What is it and what are the limitations? Is it free? When can we use it? How do I download and install it?

Solution

This tip volition answer questions on SQL Server Express Edition.

What is SQL Server Express

Express Edition was originally called MSDE (Microsoft Data Engine or Microsoft Desktop Engine) in SQL Server versions 7 and 2000. Then the product was renamed Express Edition in version 2005 and the proper noun continues. The edition has evolved as versions have evolved. It's a free entry level database server commonly used for modest database applications.

Microsoft SQL Server Express Cost

The cost is $0.00 and information technology's gratis to download, distribute and use in product.

SQL Server Limited Download

It tin can be downloaded from the one of the following respective links:

SQL Server 2012 Express Edition Download
SQL Server 2014 Limited Edition Download
SQL Server 2016 due west/ SP1 Express Edition Download
SQL Server 2016 west/ SP2 Express Edition Download
SQL Server 2017 Limited Edition Download
SQL Server 2019 Limited Edition Download

Install SQL Server Express

The install is well-nigh identical to other editions. Installing SQL Server 2017 Limited volition walk you through the installation of a SQL Server 2017 Express Edition.

SQL Server Express Versions

As of this writing it's available in all supported versions which are 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2019.

SQL Server Express Limitations

Maximum database data file size is x Gigabytes.
CPU is limited to the lesser of one socket or 4 cores.
Maximum memory utilized per SQL Server instance is 1 Gigabyte.
It doesn't have Maintenance Plans, SQL Server Agent or Database Mail.
While technically the number of databases you could have on Limited Edition is the same across editions at 32,767, it's highly unlikely the SQL Server service would even offset at a fraction of that so realistically no more just a few databases would exist practical given memory and CPU limitations.

Microsoft SQL Server Limited FAQ

Can I backup/restore databases, run DBCC checks, and perform index maintenance if I'm using Express Edition?

Yes. You tin can and should be doing all these tasks. However, given the lack of Maintenance Plans, SQL Server Agent, and Database Mail you would demand to use some other option like 1 of the following:

Automate SQL Server Express Backups and Deletion of Older Backup Files
Automate SQL Server Express Backups and Purge Old Backups
Centralizing SQL Server Express Job Scheduling
Free Job Scheduling Tool for SQL Server Limited and MSDE
How To Schedule SQL Scripts On SQL Server Limited Edition

Patching SQL Server Express

You need to patch Express Edition just as yous would with other editions.

Patching is the same regardless of the edition you lot have. For example, if you lot simply installed any edition of SQL Server 2019 you will be at 'Release To Manufacturing (RTM)' level and would demand to obtain the latest 'Cumulative Update (CU)' and / or 'Service Pack (SP)' depending on the version which can be found here: Latest updates for Microsoft SQL Server and use it.

Can I fill-in a database on an Express Edition server and restore it to another edition and vice versa?

Yes, y'all tin. A backup from any edition of SQL Server can be restored to any other edition. The rule for versions is withal the aforementioned though, y'all can but restore to the same or higher version. For example, you can backup a database from SQL Server 2017 Standard Edition and restore it to a SQL Server 2019 Express Edition, simply cannot backup and restore the other fashion from 2019 to 2017. As well, remember the max database size on Express is 10GB.

Is there any divergence between SQL Server Express security and other editions?

There are no differences. You still have either a SQL authentication login/password and/or an Active Directory login with server and database level groups at a high level which is the same in all editions.

Is Microsoft SQL Server Express multi-instance?

Yes, equally with other editions Named Instances are supported. Rather than your instance being named MachineName, they would look something like this: MachineName\SqlServerInstanceName1, MachineName\SqlServerInstanceName and then on.

Can I upgrade MS SQL Express to another edition if I outgrow it and have the demand for more resource?

Yes, you tin can. While possible to upgrade it in place, it's appropriate to build a new server and migrate the database to information technology. Here are some links to assistance yous there:

SQL Server Database Migration Checklist
Migrate SQL Server database to Azure VM
Migrate the Correct Logins with a SQL Server Database

SQL Server Limited Edition High Availability and Disaster Recovery

While y'all could create your ain scripts to fill-in and restore to some other server at that place is no real HADR with Express Edition. And you are near likely going to use a higher edition if you accept the need for HADR.

Where is SQL Server Express Edition used?

Express Edition is oftentimes installed along with a smaller scale or larger scale awarding where the database processing needs are low or as a free evolution / learning server.

Here's a brusk list of only some of the applications it's used with:

SAP Business Objects
Veeam backup
Optical Grapheme Recognition (OCR) systems
Edifice security systems
Fax processing
Barcode Labeling applications
Shipper (UPS, etc.) applications

When would I employ SQL Server Express?

If your database(s) can perform adequately with:

1 GB of retentiveness or less
The lesser of 1 socket or four cores of CPU
Yous tin can guarantee the database data file on any database volition not grow past ten Gigabytes

SQL Server Express Minimum Requirements

If your database needs:

More than 1 GB of retentivity
More the lesser of 1 socket or iv cores of CPU
Whatever database data file that will grow larger than 10GB
If you need tools similar Database Mail service or SQL Server Agent

SQL Server Express Additional Considerations

Hither's a list of some of things I've see to look out for:

The SQL Server beingness installed without your noesis, information technology's usually not patched, and sometimes it's an unsupported version – it'due south astonishing what you lot'll find running the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit
Everything being installed on the C:\ bulldoze due to whoever installed it just blindly clicking through the defaults which results in the system drive filling up
Although some of the applications that use Express Edition have some power to practice some maintenance functions like database backups, data archiving, etc. I've heard it said that the installed SQL Server Express Edition is 'self-managed' and there is no such matter
Care and feeding can exist minimal, merely yous still need to exercise database backups, differential or transaction log backups (fix recovery model to simple if you don't the recoverability of transaction log to forestall the log file from growing out of control), run DBCC checks, review the error log, etc.
A vendor app that removes logins from the sysadmin group - Connect to SQL Server when system administrators are locked out shows how to admission as sysadmin if you lot demand to every bit long equally you lot have Windows Administrator rights
Lack of security implemented with the case and in the databases

Next Steps

Here are links to several SQL Server Limited Edition tips on MSSQLTips.com:

SQL Server Express Edition Tips

And here is some full general SQL Server information at Microsoft Docs:

Editions and supported features of SQL Server 2019 (fifteen.10)
SQL Server installation guide