This article explains how to install Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Express and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on Windows, then verify that you can connect to the SQL Server instance.
SQL Server Express is the database engine that stores and manages your data. SSMS is a separate application used to connect to and administer SQL Server. Installing SSMS alone does not install the database engine.
SQL Server 2025 Express is free and supports a maximum relational database size of 50 GB per database. Express also has processor, memory, and feature limits. Review Microsoft’s edition comparison when choosing an edition for your workload.
For larger databases or workloads that exceed Express’s limits, work with your database administrator to select an appropriate SQL Server edition.
Before you begin
- Use a supported Windows computer with an x64 processor. Check SQL Server 2025 requirements and SSMS system requirements separately.
- Sign in with an account that has permission to install software as an administrator.
- Have internet access and enough free space for both applications, your databases, and backups. Apply pending Windows updates and restart if required before installing.
- These steps show a new Basic Express installation. If your organization already has a SQL Server instance, or requires custom settings, confirm the installation plan with your administrator first.
The screenshots show SQL Server 2025 Express and SSMS 22. Installer wording and layout may vary with later updates.
Download SQL Server 2025 Express
Open Microsoft’s SQL Server downloads page and locate the Express edition. Use the Express download for the installation shown below.
Install SQL Server 2025 Express
1. Download SQL Server 2025 Express
Download the SQL Server 2025 Express installer from Microsoft.
2. Run the installer
Open the downloaded executable. If Windows requests administrator approval, approve the prompt or contact your administrator.
3. Select the installation type
Select Basic to follow the installation shown in this article. Use Custom only if you need to configure additional installation options with your administrator.
4. Accept the license terms
Review the Microsoft license terms, then select Accept to continue.
5. Select the installation location
Review the destination folder and available disk space. Keep the default location or choose an approved location, then select Install.
6. Wait for the installation to complete
Allow the installer to download and install SQL Server Express. Keep the installer open until it reports completion. If setup fails, review its error message and installation logs before continuing.
7. Record the SQL Server instance name
On the completion screen, record the instance name and connection information. The instance is commonly named SQLEXPRESS, but use the actual name shown by your installation.
When connecting from the same computer, a typical server name is .\SQLEXPRESS or localhost\SQLEXPRESS. From another computer, use ComputerName\SQLEXPRESS, replacing both parts with the actual server and instance names. Remote connections may require additional network configuration.
Select Install SSMS to open the SSMS download page.
Install SQL Server Management Studio
8. Download the SSMS installer
On Microsoft’s SSMS installation page, select Download SQL Server Management Studio 22 installer.
9. Run the SSMS setup
Open the downloaded vs_SSMS.exe installer and approve the Windows administrator prompt.
10. Continue through the Visual Studio Installer
Select Continue when prompted. Allow the Visual Studio Installer to prepare the SSMS installation.
11. Review the installation options
Review the installation location and disk space. Optional workloads and components can be selected if needed. Select Install.
12. Wait for SSMS to install
Wait for installation to finish.
13. Finish the installation
Close the installer when complete. Restart Windows if prompted, then open SQL Server Management Studio from the Start menu.
Verify your SQL Server connection
- In SSMS, open the database engine connection dialog. If needed, select Object Explorer > Connect > Database Engine.
- Enter your server and instance name. For the local example above, use
.\SQLEXPRESS. - Select Windows Authentication using an account granted access to the instance. If your administrator configured SQL Server Authentication instead, use the assigned SQL login.
- Select Connect. Confirm that the instance appears in Object Explorer and expand Databases.
If the connection fails, check the instance name, confirm that its SQL Server service is running, and verify your account’s access. For certificate errors, have your administrator review the server certificate and encryption settings. For remote connections, also check the network configuration and firewall.
See Microsoft’s SSMS connection guide for connection options and troubleshooting links.
Next steps for VDM
Installing SQL Server and SSMS completes the software installation. You still need to configure the database and connection required for your VDM workflow.
- For VDM Scheduler, follow the VDM Scheduler Setup and Configuration Guide.
- If the workflow requires a SQL username and password, follow How to Create a New SQL Server Login. SQL Server Authentication requires the appropriate authentication mode and database permissions; it is not required for every Windows-authenticated connection.
- To add a database connection in VDM, follow How to Create a Database Connection Profile in VDM.
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