Select if this is the only SQL Server installed on your machine. The instance name will automatically default to MSSQLSERVER .
Before beginning, ensure your system meets the following requirements:
SQL Server 2019 Developer Edition is a full-featured, free version of the Enterprise Edition, specifically licensed for non-production use, such as development and testing Download and Installation Steps
Once the initial web installer executable is downloaded, you are ready to begin the main installation setup. Run the Installer
Do you need to import (like AdventureWorks)? download and install sql server 2019 developer edition new
An instance represents a distinct SQL Server installation running on your hardware.
The installer checks for system problems or pending updates. Resolve any warnings (such as a pending system restart) and proceed.
Choose if this is the only SQL Server instance on your machine. It will name itself MSSQLSERVER .
| Issue | Fix | |--------|------| | Can’t connect to localhost | Check SQL Server service is running ( services.msc ) | | SSMS can’t find instance | Use localhost or 127.0.0.1 | | Installation fails | Run installer as Administrator, disable antivirus temporarily | | “sa” login fails | Reset password via SSMS using Windows Authentication | Select if this is the only SQL Server
(Optional) Select Data Quality Services, Analysis Services, or Shared Features if your specific development workload requires them.
Leave the default shared directory paths unchanged, and click . Instance Configuration
Confirm your development server is active and accessible by running a test connection.
Download the latest release of SSMS from the official Microsoft site. Run the Installer Do you need to import
Click the button. This will download a small bootstrapper file (~6 MB) named SQL2019-SSEI-Dev.exe .
Select Basic for a standard development setup. (The steps below follow the Basic workflow).
| Feature Category | What's New | |-----------------|-------------| | | Deploy scalable clusters of SQL Server, Spark, and HDFS containers running on Kubernetes. Query external data sources directly from T-SQL. | | Intelligent Query Processing | Adaptive joins, memory grant feedback (now for both batch and row mode), and approximate query processing. | | Scalable Big Data | Read, write, and process big data from T-SQL or Spark. Store big data in HDFS managed by SQL Server. | | In-Memory Database | Improved performance and scalability without application changes. | | Developer Experience | Memory-optimized TempDB metadata, accelerated database recovery, and optimizations for sequential key workloads. | | Linux Support | SQL Server 2019 runs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, and Ubuntu. |
A: Developer Edition is free permanently for non-production use. Evaluation Edition is a 180-day trial of Enterprise Edition intended for evaluation purposes. After 180 days, the server services stop running. Unless you specifically need a short-term trial, choose Developer.
✅ – SQL Server is installed as default instance MSSQLSERVER .
is a free, fully-featured database management system designed for development and testing in non-production environments. It includes every feature found in the premium Enterprise edition, allowing you to build, test, and demo your applications without licensing costs.