Planning a SQL Server Installation

Applies to: SQL Server - Windows only

To install SQL Server, follow these steps:

  • Review installation requirements, system configuration checks, and security considerations for a SQL Server installation.

  • Run SQL Server Setup to install or upgrade to a later version. Before upgrading, review Upgrade SQL Server.

  • Use SQL Server utilities to configure SQL Server.

Regardless of the installation method, you are required to confirm acceptance of the software license terms as an individual or on behalf of an entity, unless your use of the software is governed by a separate agreement such as a Microsoft volume licensing agreement or a third-party agreement with an ISV or OEM.

The license terms are displayed for review and acceptance in the Setup user interface. Unattended installations (using the /Q or /QS parameters) must include the /IAcceptSQLServerLicenseTerms parameter. Download and review the license terms separately at Microsoft SQL Server License Terms and Information. For volume licensing terms, see Licensing Terms and Documentation. For older versions of SQL Server, see Microsoft Software License Terms.

Note

Depending on how you received the software (for example, through Microsoft volume licensing), your use of the software may be subject to additional terms and conditions.

In This Section

What's New in SQL Server Installation
This article describes the details about the new or improved features of installation in this version of SQL Server.

Hardware and software requirements for installing SQL Server 2016 & 2017, SQL Server 2019 or SQL Server on Linux This article lists the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run an instance of SQL Server. .

Security Considerations for a SQL Server Installation
This article describes some security best practices that you should consider before you install SQL Server and after you install SQL Server.

Configure Windows Service Accounts and Permissions
This article describes the default configuration of services in this release of SQL Server, and configuration options for SQL Server services that you can set during and after SQL Server installation.

Network Protocols and Network Libraries
This article describes the default configuration of network protocols in this release of SQL Server, and the configuration options available.

Work with Multiple Versions and Instances of SQL Server
This article describes the considerations for installing multiple versions and instances of SQL Server.

Local Language Versions in SQL Server
This article describes about the localized versions of SQL Server.

Install SQL Server
This section provides an overview of different installation options we have for installing SQL Server.

Install SQL Server Business Intelligence Features
This section of the SQL Server Setup documentation explains how to install SQL Server features that are part of the Microsoft BI platform.

Upgrade SQL Server
The section provides an overview of upgrading from a previous version of SQL Server.

Uninstall SQL Server
Refer this section to uninstall an existing instance of SQL Server completely, and prepare the system so that you can reinstall SQL Server.

SQL Server Failover Cluster Installation
This section of the SQL Server Setup documentation explains how to install, and configure SQL Server failover cluster.

See Also

Install SQL Server from the Command Prompt
High Availability Solutions (SQL Server)
Before Installing Failover Clustering
Upgrade SQL Server Using the Installation Wizard (Setup)