SQL Server Free Download 2017: How to Get It and Why You Need It
If you are looking for a powerful and reliable data management system that can handle your data and workload needs, you might want to consider SQL Server. SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft that supports a wide range of data types, languages, platforms, and applications. In this article, we will show you how to download SQL Server 2017 for free, how to install it on Windows, Linux, or Docker, and how to connect to it and start using it.
sql server free download 2017
What is SQL Server and Why Use It?
SQL Server is a RDBMS that uses Structured Query Language (SQL) as its primary language for querying and manipulating data. SQL is a standard and widely used language for working with relational databases, which store data in tables consisting of rows and columns. SQL allows you to perform various operations on data, such as creating, reading, updating, deleting, aggregating, filtering, sorting, joining, and more.
SQL Server Features and Benefits
SQL Server offers many features and benefits that make it a popular choice for data management. Some of these include:
Performance: SQL Server is designed to deliver fast and consistent performance for any type of data and workload. It uses advanced technologies such as in-memory processing, columnstore indexes, adaptive query processing, automatic tuning, and intelligent query processing to optimize performance.
Security: SQL Server is one of the most secure RDBMS in the market, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It provides various features to protect your data from unauthorized access, such as encryption, auditing, authentication, authorization, row-level security, dynamic data masking, and more.
Scalability: SQL Server can scale up or down to meet your changing data and workload demands. It supports both vertical and horizontal scaling, as well as hybrid scaling across on-premises and cloud environments. You can also use SQL Server Big Data Clusters to integrate SQL Server with Apache Spark and Hadoop for big data analytics.
Availability: SQL Server ensures high availability and disaster recovery for your data with features such as Always On availability groups, failover clustering, log shipping, database mirroring, backup and restore, and more.
Analytics: SQL Server enables you to perform advanced analytics on your data with features such as machine learning services, R and Python integration, graph database support, data mining, reporting services, analysis services, integration services, and more.
Azure-connected: SQL Server is tightly integrated with Azure, Microsoft's cloud platform. You can easily migrate your data and workloads from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database or Azure Synapse Analytics with minimal downtime and code changes. You can also use Azure services such as Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, Azure Machine Learning, Azure Cognitive Services, and more to enhance your data capabilities.
SQL Server Editions and Pricing
SQL Server comes in different editions that cater to different needs and budgets. The main editions are:
EditionDescriptionPricing
EnterpriseThe most comprehensive edition that offers the highest performance, scalability, security, availability, and analytics features. Suitable for mission critical applications and large-scale data warehouses.Based on core licensing. $14,256 per core (minimum of 4 cores per processor or VM)
StandardA more affordable edition that offers basic performance, security, availability, and analytics features. Suitable for small to medium-sized applications and data marts.Based on core or server + CAL licensing. $3,586 per core (minimum of 4 cores per processor or VM) or $931 per server + $209 per CAL
DeveloperA free edition that has the same features as Enterprise, but is only for development and testing purposes. Not suitable for production use.Free
ExpressA free edition that offers basic performance, security, and connectivity features. Suitable for lightweight applications and local data storage.Free
EvaluationA free edition that has the same features as Enterprise, but is only for evaluation purposes. It expires after 180 days and cannot be upgraded.Free
In addition to these editions, there are also other specialized editions such as Web, Mobile, LocalDB, and Compact.
How to Download SQL Server 2017 for Free
If you want to download SQL Server 2017 for free, you have three options: Developer Edition, Express Edition, and Evaluation Edition. Each of these editions has different features and limitations, so you should choose the one that best suits your needs and goals. Here is a brief overview of each edition:
SQL Server 2017 Developer Edition
This edition is ideal for developers who want to build and test applications that use the full features of SQL Server. It has the same features as Enterprise Edition, but it is not licensed for production use. You can use it on your local machine or on a virtual machine (VM). You can also use it with Visual Studio, Azure DevOps, or other development tools.
To download SQL Server 2017 Developer Edition, you need to join the Visual Studio Dev Essentials program, which is free and gives you access to various developer resources and tools. You can sign up with your Microsoft account or create a new one. After you join the program, you can download SQL Server 2017 Developer Edition from the .
SQL Server 2017 Express Edition
This edition is ideal for beginners who want to learn SQL Server or for users who want to run lightweight applications or store local data. It has basic features such as database engine, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), and connectivity drivers. However, it has some limitations such as:
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Maximum database size of 10 GB per database
Maximum memory usage of 1 GB per instance
Maximum CPU usage of 1 socket or 4 cores per instance
No support for advanced features such as in-memory OLTP, columnstore indexes, machine learning services, etc.
To download SQL Server 2017 Express Edition, you can go to the and choose the version that suits your needs. There are four versions available:
Express: This is the core version that includes only the database engine.
Express with Tools: This version includes the database engine and SSMS.
Express with Advanced Services: This version includes the database engine, SSMS, full-text search, and reporting services.
LocalDB: This is a lightweight version that runs as a service and does not require installation or configuration.
SQL Server 2017 Evaluation Edition
This edition is ideal for users who want to evaluate the full features of SQL Server before making a purchase decision. It has the same features as Enterprise Edition, but it expires after 180 days and cannot be upgraded. You can use it on your local machine or on a VM.
To download SQL Server 2017 Evaluation Edition, you can go to the and fill out a registration form with your name, email address, country, and company name. After you submit the form, you will receive an email with a link to download the ISO file or the CAB file. You can also choose to download from Azure Marketplace if you have an Azure account.
How to Install SQL Server 2017 on Windows, Linux, or Docker
After you download SQL Server 2017, you can install it on your preferred platform: Windows, Linux, or Docker. Each platform has different installation requirements and steps, so you should follow the official documentation for the best results. Here is a summary of the installation process for each platform:
Installation Requirements and Guidelines
Before you install SQL Server 2017, you should check the following requirements and guidelines:
Make sure your system meets the for SQL Server 2017.
Make sure you have enough disk space for the installation files and the databases.
Make sure you have a valid product key or license for the edition you want to install.
Make sure you have administrator privileges on the system where you want to install SQL Server 2017.
Make sure you have a strong password for the SQL Server service account and the sa account.
Make sure you have a reliable internet connection for downloading updates and features.
Make sure you have a backup of your existing data and settings before installing SQL Server 2017.
Make sure you read and accept the for SQL Server 2017.
Installation Steps for Windows
To install SQL Server 2017 on Windows, you can use the graphical user interface (GUI) or the command-line interface (CLI). The GUI is easier and more intuitive, while the CLI is faster and more flexible. Here are the basic steps for using the GUI:
Run the setup.exe file from the ISO or CAB file that you downloaded.
Select the installation type: Basic, Custom, or Download Media. Basic installs the default features and settings, Custom lets you choose the features and settings, and Download Media lets you download the installation files to a local or network drive.
Enter your product key or choose Evaluation if you are using Evaluation Edition.
Select the features that you want to install. You can choose from Database Engine Services, Analysis Services, Reporting Services, Integration Services, Machine Learning Services, PolyBase Query Service, Full-Text Search, Data Quality Services, Master Data Services, Distributed Replay, etc.
Select the instance name and ID. You can choose from Default Instance or Named Instance. Default Instance uses MSSQLSERVER as the instance name and ID, while Named Instance lets you specify your own name and ID.
Select the service accounts and collation settings. You can use the default values or change them according to your preferences.
Select the authentication mode and specify the passwords for the SQL Server service account and the sa account. You can choose from Windows Authentication or Mixed Mode Authentication. Windows Authentication uses your Windows credentials to log in to SQL Server, while Mixed Mode Authentication lets you use both Windows credentials and SQL Server credentials.
Select the data directories and tempdb settings. You can use the default values or change them according to your preferences.
Select the feature configuration rules and readiness checks. You can review the rules and checks that SQL Server performs before installing and resolve any issues that might prevent a successful installation.
Select Install to start the installation process. You can monitor the progress and status of the installation on the screen.
To use the CLI, you need to use a configuration file or a set of parameters that specify your installation options. You can generate a configuration file from the GUI or create your own file. You can also use predefined configuration files for common scenarios such as . Here is an example of using a configuration file to install SQL Server 2017:
setup.exe /ConfigurationFile=MyConfigurationFile.ini
Here is an example of using parameters to install SQL Server 2017:
setup.exe /Q /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS /ACTION=install /FEATURES=SQLEngine /INSTANCENAME=MSSQLSERVER /SQLSVCACCOUNT="NT Service\MSSQLSERVER" /SQLSVCPASSWORD="StrongPassword" /SQLSYSADMINACCOUNTS="BUILTIN\ADMINISTRATORS" /AGTSVCACCOUNT="NT Service\SQLSERVERAGENT" /TCPENABLED=1 /NPENABLED=1 /BROWSERSVCSTARTUPTYPE=Automatic
You can find more information about using the CLI .
Installation Steps for Linux
To install SQL Server 2017 on Linux, you need to use a package manager that is compatible with your Linux distribution. SQL Server 2017 supports the following Linux distributions: Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES), Ubuntu, and Debian. You can also use Docker to run SQL Server 2017 on Linux or any other platform that supports Docker. Here are the basic steps for using a package manager to install SQL Server 2017 on Linux:
Import the public repository GPG keys for SQL Server 2017. You can use the following commands for each distribution:
RHEL: sudo curl -o /etc/yum.repos.d/mssql-server.repo
SLES: sudo zypper addrepo -fc
Ubuntu: wget -qO- sudo apt-key add - and sudo add-apt-repository "$(wget -qO-
Debian: wget -qO- sudo apt-key add - and sudo add-apt-repository "$(wget -qO-
Install SQL Server 2017 with the package manager. You can use the following commands for each distribution:
RHEL: sudo yum install -y mssql-server
SLES: sudo zypper install -y mssql-server
Ubuntu: sudo apt-get update and sudo apt-get install -y mssql-server
Debian: sudo apt-get update and sudo apt-get install -y mssql-server
Run the configuration script to set up SQL Server 2017. You can use the following command for any distribution:
sudo /opt/mssql/bin/mssql-conf setup
Enter your edition or product key, or choose Evaluation if you are using Evaluation Edition.
Select your language and accept the license terms.
Enter a strong password for the sa account.
Verify that SQL Server 2017 is running and check its status. You can use the following commands for each distribution:
RHEL: systemctl status mssql-server
SLES: systemctl status mssql-server
Ubuntu: systemctl status mssql-server
Debian: systemctl status mssql-server
To use Docker to run SQL Server 2017 on Linux or any other platform that supports Docker, you need to have Docker installed and running on your system. You can find the installation instructions for Docker . Here are the basic steps for using Docker to run SQL Server 2017:
Pull the SQL Server 2017 Docker image from Docker Hub. You can use the following command:
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
Create and run a Docker container with the SQL Server 2017 image. You need to specify a name, a password, and a port for the container. You can use the following command:
docker run --name sqlserver2017 -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "SA_PASSWORD=StrongPassword" -p 1433:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
Verify that the container is running and check its status. You can use the following command:
docker ps -a
Installation Steps for Docker
To install SQL Server 2017 on Docker, you need to have Docker installed and running on your system. You can find the installation instructions for Docker . Here are the basic steps for installing SQL Server 2017 on Docker:
Pull the SQL Server 2017 Docker image from Docker Hub. You can use the following command:
docker pull mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
Create and run a Docker container with the SQL Server 2017 image. You need to specify a name, a password, and a port for the container. You can use the following command:
docker run --name sqlserver2017 -e "ACCEPT_EULA=Y" -e "SA_PASSWORD=StrongPassword" -p 1433:1433 -d mcr.microsoft.com/mssql/server:2017-latest
Verify that the container is running and check its status. You can use the following command:
docker ps -a
Connect to the SQL Server 2017 instance in the container using any of the tools or applications that support SQL Server. You can use the following information to connect:
Server name: localhost,1433 or <ip_address>,1433
Authentication mode: SQL Server Authentication
User name: sa
Password: StrongPassword
How to Connect to SQL Server 2017 and Start Using It
After you install SQL Server 2017, you can connect to it and start using it with various tools and applications that support SQL Server. Some of the most common tools are SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Azure Data Studio (ADS), and Visual Studio Code (VS Code). Here is a brief overview of each tool and how to use it:
Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
SSMS is a graphical user interface (GUI) tool that allows you to manage and administer SQL Server instances and databases. You can use SSMS to perform various tasks such as creating and modifying databases, tables, views, stored procedures, functions, triggers, indexes, etc., executing queries and scripts, analyzing query plans and performance, backing up and restoring databases, configuring security and permissions, monitoring server activity and health, etc.
To use SSMS, you need to download and install it from the . SSMS is compatible with all editions and versions of SQL Server from SQL Server 2008 to SQL Server 2019. You can also use SSMS to connect to Azure SQL Database and Azure Synapse Analytics.
To connect to SQL Server 2017 with SSMS, you need to follow these steps:
Launch SSMS from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
In the Connect to Server dialog box, enter the following information:
Server type: Database Engine
Server name: <server_name>\<instance_name> or <ip_address>\<instance_name>
Authentication: Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication
User name: <user_name>
Password: <password>
Click Connect.
In the Object Explorer pane, expand the server node and browse the databases and objects.
In the toolbar, click New Query to open a query editor window.
Type your SQL statements or scripts in the query editor window.
Click Execute or press F5 to run your query or script.
View the results in the Results pane or the Messages pane.
Using Azure Data Studio (ADS)
ADS is a cross-platform tool that allows you to work with data from SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, and PostgreSQL. You can use ADS to perform various tasks such as executing queries and scripts, creating and modifying databases and objects, exploring data with notebooks and charts, developing code with extensions and source control, etc.
To use ADS, you need to download and install it from the . ADS is compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS. You can also use ADS to connect to other data sources with extensions.
To connect to SQL Server 2017 with ADS, you need to follow these steps:
Launch ADS from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
In the Connections pane, click New Connection.
In the Connection details dialog box, enter the following information:
Connection type: Microsoft SQL Server
Server: <server_name>\<instance_name> or <ip_address>\<instance_name>
Authentication type: Windows Authentication or SQL Login
User name: <user_name>
Password: <password>
Database name: <database_name> or <leave_blank>
Click Connect.
In the Servers pane, expand the server node and browse the databases and objects.
In the toolbar, click New Query to open a query editor window.
Type your SQL statements or scripts in the query editor window.
Click Run or press F5 to run your query or script.
View the results in the Results pane or the Messages pane.
Using Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
VS Code is a code editor that supports various languages and platforms, including SQL. You can use VS Code to edit and run SQL queries and scripts, as well as develop applications that use SQL Server. You can also use VS Code to connect to other data sources with extensions.
To use VS Code, you need to download and install it from the for VS Code, which enables you to work with SQL Server.
To connect to SQL Server 2017 with VS Code, you need to follow these steps:
Launch VS Code from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut.
In the Extensions pane, search for mssql and install it.
In the Explorer pane, click Open Folder and select a folder where you want to store your SQL files.
In the File menu, click New File and save it with a .sql extension.
Type your SQL statements or scripts in the file.
In the Command Palette, type SQL and select MS SQL: Connect.
In the Connection details dialog box, enter the following information:
Server name: <server_name>\<instance_name> or <ip_address>\<instance_name>
Authentication type: Windows Authentication or SQL Login
User name: <user_name>
Password: <password>
Database name: <database_name> or <leave_blank>
Click Connect.
In the Status Bar, verify that you are connected to SQL Server 2017.
In the File menu, click Save or press Ctrl+S to save your file.
In the Command Palette, type SQL and select MS SQL: Execute Query or press Ctrl+Shift+E to run your query or script.
View the results in the Results pane or the Messages pane.
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download SQL Server 2017 for free, how to install it on Windows, Linux, or Docker, and how to connect to it and start using it. We have also discussed some of the features and benefits of SQL Server 2017 and how it can help you manage and analyze your data. We hope you have found this article useful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most common questions and answers about SQL Server 2017:
Q: What are the system requirements for SQL Server 2017?
A: The system requirements for SQL Server 2017 vary depending on the edition and platform you choose. You can find the detailed system requirements for Docker.
Q: How can I upgrade from an older version of SQL Server to SQL Server 2017?
A: You can upgrade from an older version of SQL Server to SQL Server 2017 by using one of the following methods:
In-place upgrade: This method replaces the existing SQL Server instance with SQL Server 2017. It preserves the databases, settings, and objects, but it requires downtime and backup. You can use the setup wizard or the command-line interface to perform an in-place upgrade.
Side-by-side upgrade: This method installs SQL Server 2017 as a new instance alongside the existing SQL Server instance. It allows you to test and compare the performance and compatibility of SQL Server 2017 before switching to it. You can use the backup and restore method, the detach and attach method, or the copy database wizard to migrate your databases from the old instance to the new instance.
You can find more information about upgrading to SQL Server 2017 for Linux.
Q: How can I uninstall SQL Server 2017?
A: You can uninstall SQL Server 2017 by using one of the following methods:
Uninstall from Control Panel: This method allows you to uninstall SQL Server 2017 from the Control Panel on Windows. You can select the components that you want to remove and follow the instructions on the screen.
Uninstall from command-line: This method allows you to uninstall SQL Server 2017 from the command-line on Windows or Linux. You can use the setup.exe file or the package manager to remove SQL Server 2017 and its components.
Remove Docker container: This method allows you to remove SQL Server 2017 from a Docker container on any platform that supports Docker. You can use the docker rm command to delete the container that runs SQL Server 2017.
You can find more information about uninstalling SQL Server 2017 for Docker.
Q: How can I learn more about SQL Server 2017?
A: You can learn more about SQL Server 2017 by using one of the following resources:
Official documentation: This is the best source of information about SQL Server 2017. It covers everything from installation and configuration to development and administration. You can access it .
Tutorials and courses: These are helpful resources for learning how to use SQL Server 2017 in a practical way. They provide step-by-step instructions and examples for various scenarios and tasks. You can find some of them .
Blogs and forums: These are useful resources for staying updated on the latest news and developments about SQL Server 2017. They also provide tips and tricks, best practices, and solutions for common problems. You can find some of them .
Videos and podcasts: These are engaging resources for learning more about SQL Server 2017 in a visual and audio way. They feature experts and [assistant](#message) enthusiasts who share their knowledge and experience with SQL Server 2017. You can find some of them .
Q: How can I get help or support for SQL Server 2017?
A: You can get help or support for SQL Server 2017 by using one of the following options:
Technical support: This is the official support service provided by Microsoft for SQL Server 2017. It offers various levels of support depending on your needs and budget. You can access it .
Community support: This is the unofficial support service provided by other SQL Server users and experts. It offers free and fast answers to your questions and issues. You can access it .
Feedback and suggestions: This is the option for sharing your feedback and suggestions about SQL Server 2017 with Microsoft. It helps Microsoft improve SQL Server 2017 and make it better for you and other users. You can access it .
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