This topic describes how to start working with FILESTREAM. FILESTREAM is not automatically enabled when you install or upgrade SQL Server. You must enable FILESTREAM by using SQL Server Configuration Manager and SQL Server Management Studio. To use FILESTREAM, you must create or modify a database to contain a special type of filegroup. Then, create or modify a table so that it contains a varbinary(max) column with the FILESTREAM attribute. After you complete these tasks, you can use Transact-SQL and Win32 to manage the FILESTREAM data.

To enable FILESTREAM

• How to: Enable FILESTREAM
  

To create FILESTREAM-enabled databases and tables

• How to: Create a FILESTREAM-Enabled Database
  
• How to: Create a Table for Storing FILESTREAM Data
  

To work with FILESTREAM data by using Transact-SQL and Win32

• Managing FILESTREAM Data by Using Transact-SQL
  
• Managing FILESTREAM Data by Using Win32