> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Install SQL Server Express on Windows Server > Install SQL Server 2025 Express on Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025, choose the authentication mode, enable TCP/IP on a fixed port and connect with SSMS safely. To install SQL Server Express on Windows Server, download **SQL Server 2025 Express** from Microsoft's [SQL Server downloads page](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads), run the installer as administrator, and choose the custom install so you can pick **Database Engine Services**, a named instance and the authentication mode. Express is free, limited to 50 GB per database, 1,410 MB of buffer pool memory and 4 cores, and only accepts local connections until you enable TCP/IP. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs | | - | - | - | - | | Intermediate | 20 to 40 minutes | Windows Server 2019 / 2022 / 2025 (Standard) | Administrator account, 6 GB free on the system drive | ## Before you start * Sign in as an administrator with [Remote Desktop](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-windows-server-with-remote-desktop.md). * Install all [Windows updates](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-windows-updates-on-windows-server.md) and restart first. * Check requirements: an x64 processor, at least 512 MB of RAM for Express (more in practice), and at least 6 GB free on the system drive for setup, even if you install to another drive ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-2025)). * SQL Server 2025 needs .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later; setup checks this for you. ## What are the SQL Server Express limits? | Limit | SQL Server 2025 Express | | - | - | | Database size | 50 GB per database | | Memory for the buffer pool | 1,410 MB per instance | | CPU | The lesser of 1 socket or 4 cores | | SQL Server Agent (scheduled jobs) | Not included | | Price | Free, licensed for production use | Source: [SQL Server 2025 editions](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/editions-and-components-of-sql-server-2025) on Microsoft Learn. From SQL Server 2025, Express also includes what used to be "Express with Advanced Services", such as Full-Text Search. If you outgrow these limits, you need a paid edition. ## How to install SQL Server Express **1. Download the installer** On the server, open the [SQL Server downloads page](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads) and select **Download now** under **SQL Server 2025 Express**. **2. Start a custom installation** Right-click the downloaded file and choose **Run as administrator**. Choose the custom installation, so the full **SQL Server Installation Center** opens and you can set the options below yourself. **3. New standalone installation** In **SQL Server Installation Center**, select **Installation**, then **New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation**. **4. Accept the licence** Read the licence terms, tick **I accept the license terms** and select **Next**. If the **Microsoft Update** page appears, ticking it lets Windows Update also patch SQL Server, which we recommend. **5. Select features** On **Feature Selection**, tick **Database Engine Services**. Add other features only if you need them. **6. Name the instance** On **Instance Configuration**, keep the **Named instance** the installer suggests (our examples use `SQLEXPRESS`) or type your own. Write it down: you connect to `localhost\SQLEXPRESS`. **7. Service settings** On **Server Configuration**, keep the default service accounts. Make sure **SQL Server Database Engine** has **Startup Type** **Automatic**. **8. Choose authentication** On **Database Engine Configuration**: * **Windows authentication mode** (default): only Windows accounts can sign in. Best if only apps on this server use the database. * **Mixed Mode**: also allows SQL logins such as `sa`. Needed for many web apps and remote tools. Enter a strong password for `sa`. Under **Specify SQL Server administrators**, select **Add Current User**. **9. Install** Select **Next**, then **Install**. When setup reports that all features installed successfully, select **Close**. ## How to connect with SQL Server Management Studio SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a free, separate download, linked from the same [downloads page](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads). Install it, start it and connect to: * **Server name**: `localhost\SQLEXPRESS` (your instance name) * **Authentication**: **Windows Authentication**, or **SQL Server Authentication** with `sa` if you chose Mixed Mode Check from PowerShell that the service runs: ```powershell theme={null} Get-Service -Name 'MSSQL*' | Select-Object Name, DisplayName, Status ``` The **SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)** service should show `Running`. ## How to allow remote connections (only if you need them) For security, Express installs with only local connectivity: apps on the same server can connect, other computers can't ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/lesson-2-connecting-from-another-computer)). If your website runs on the same server, skip this section. > [!WARNING] > > An SQL Server open to the whole internet gets constant password-guessing attacks. Only open it to the IP addresses that need it, use strong passwords, and never use a blank or simple `sa` password. **1. Enable TCP/IP** Open **SQL Server Configuration Manager** (run `C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager17.msc` for SQL Server 2025). Expand **SQL Server Network Configuration**, select **Protocols for SQLEXPRESS**, right-click **TCP/IP** and choose **Enable**. **2. Set a fixed port** Double-click **TCP/IP**, open the **IP Addresses** tab and scroll to **IPAll**. Delete the value in **TCP Dynamic Ports** (it's `0` when dynamic), type `1433` in **TCP Port** and select **OK**. Named instances like Express use dynamic ports by default, which a firewall rule can't follow ([Microsoft Learn](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-a-server-to-listen-on-a-specific-tcp-port)). **3. Restart SQL Server** Select **SQL Server Services**, right-click **SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)** and choose **Restart**. **4. Allow the port only from your IP** ```powershell theme={null} New-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "SQL Server TCP 1433 (office)" -Direction Inbound -Protocol TCP -LocalPort 1433 -RemoteAddress 198.51.100.25 -Action Allow ``` Replace `198.51.100.25` with the public IP that needs access. Connect from the remote computer to `203.0.113.10,1433` (IP, comma, port). With a fixed port you don't need the SQL Server Browser service or UDP port 1434. ## How to check it worked From the computer you allowed, run in PowerShell: ```powershell theme={null} Test-NetConnection -ComputerName 203.0.113.10 -Port 1433 ``` `TcpTestSucceeded : True` means the port is reachable. Then connect with SSMS or [HeidiSQL](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-database-using-heidisql.md). ## Frequently asked questions ### Can I use SQL Server Express in production? Yes. Microsoft states that Express is licensed for production use. Stay within its size, memory and CPU limits. ### How do I back up an Express database without SQL Server Agent? Express has no Agent, so schedule backups with Windows Task Scheduler running `sqlcmd` with a `BACKUP DATABASE` statement, and copy the `.bak` files off the server. Also keep [server backups](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/vps-panel/how-to-schedule-and-restore-backups.md). ### Should I use MySQL or SQL Server? Use what your application supports. .NET applications often expect SQL Server; PHP apps such as WordPress expect MySQL or MariaDB. ### I forgot the sa password. What now? Sign in to SSMS with **Windows Authentication** as a Windows account you added as SQL Server administrator during setup, then reset the `sa` password under **Security > Logins**. ## Related guides > [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md) > > Every guide in this section. > [card] [Install IIS](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-install-iis-on-windows-server.md) > > Run the website that uses the database. > [card] [Open a port in Windows Firewall](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-open-a-port-in-windows-firewall.md) > > Rules limited to one IP. > [card] [Connect with HeidiSQL](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-database-using-heidisql.md) > > A free desktop client. > [card] [Back up a Windows server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-back-up-a-windows-server.md) > > Protect your data. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Checked against Microsoft Learn: [SQL Server 2025 requirements](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-2025), [editions](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/editions-and-components-of-sql-server-2025), [Installation Wizard](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-installation-wizard-setup), [listen on a specific TCP port](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/database-engine/configure-windows/configure-a-server-to-listen-on-a-specific-tcp-port) and [firewall configuration](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/configure-the-windows-firewall-to-allow-sql-server-access)** on 4 November 2026. Not tested on a live Windows server for this page; installer screens can differ slightly between releases. > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.