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SQL Server 2008 Express is a free edition of SQL Server that is an ideal data platform for learning and building desktop and small server applications, and for redistribution by ISVs.

• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express is a powerful and reliable data management system that delivers a rich set of features, data protection, and performance for embedded application clients, light Web applications, and local data stores. Designed for easy deployment and rapid prototyping, SQL Server 2008 Express is available at no cost, and you are free to redistribute it with applications. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with your other server infrastructure investments. For more information about SQL Server Express, including other versions and downloadable components now available, see Microsoft SQL Server Express.
  
  For information about the different editions of SQL Server 2008, see the Editions page.

Files

Status: Deleted This download is no longer available on microsoft.com. The downloads below are archives provided by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine from the Microsoft Download Center prior to August 2020.

File	Size
SQLEXPR32_x86_ENU.exe SHA1: 5f6c9597a592df4a5d969259a8e1592ecf838515	60.94 MB
SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe SHA1: 67d16844f075f23e2c93b798412a58e374b6fcad	82.31 MB
SQLEXPR_x86_ENU.exe SHA1: c1262fd6d898d6caf3e7a9354b2371fe9e6bd99e	88.78 MB

• • 32-Bit Systems: Computer with Intel or compatible 1GHz or faster processor (2 GHz or faster is recommended. Only a single processor is supported)
  • 64-Bit Systems: 1.4 GHz or higher processor (2 GHz or faster is recommended. Only a single processor is supported)
  • Minimum of 256 MB of RAM (1 GB or more is recommended)
  • 1 GB of free hard disk space
  
  Connecting to Visual Studio 2005 requires downloading and installing Visual Studio 2005 Support for SQL Server 2008, Community Technology Preview.
  
  Please read important information in the Release Notes before installing SQL Server 2008 with Visual Studio 2008.
  
  To learn more about what is required to run SQL Server 2008 Express, see the system requirements page.

• Note: You must have administrative rights on the computer to install SQL Server 2008 Express.
  
  We recommend that you read the Release Notes and Readme before installing SQL Server 2008 Express.
  
  
  Step 1: Download and install Microsoft .Net Framework 3.5 SP1.
  
  Step 2: Download and install Windows Installer 4.5.
  
  Step 3: Download SQL Server 2008 Express by clicking the appropriate link later on this page. To start the installation immediately, click Run. To install SQL Server Express at a later time, click Save.
  
  Note: Note: SQL Server 2008 Express includes both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. SQLEXPR32_x86 is a smaller package that can be used to install SQL Server 2008 Express onto only 32-bit operating systems. SQLEXPR_x86 is the same product but supports installation onto both 32-bit and 64-bit (WoW) operating systems. SQLEXPR_x64 is a native 64-bit SQL Server 2008 Express and supports installation onto only 64-bit operating systems. There is no other difference between these packages.