Install SQL Server 2025 and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
If you are getting started with databases, data engineering, or analytics, installing SQL Server is one of the most important first steps. With every new release, Microsoft continues to enhance performance, security, AI-driven intelligence, and developer productivity.
This blog walks you through the complete installation process of SQL Server 2025 and SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) in a simple manner.
Whether you are a developer, DBA, analyst, engineer, or data scientist, this setup is essential for hands-on learning and real-world practice.
What is SQL Server 2025?
SQL Server 2025 is Microsoft’s latest enterprise-grade Database Engine, redesigned for:
- High performance and scalability
- Enhanced AI-assisted workloads
- Cloud-ready and hybrid-ready features
- Strong security and governance features
- Better integration with tools across the Microsoft data ecosystem
SQL Server allows you to store, manage, analyze, and secure data across desktop, on-premises, and cloud environments.
Prerequisites Before Installation
Make sure your system meets the following minimum requirements before installing SQL Server 2025:
- OS: Windows 8 or higher
- RAM: Minimum 8 GB
- Disk Space: 20 GB recommended (Microsoft states 2 GB, but real-world installations need 20 GB)
- Processor: Any processor that supports Windows 8 or above
- Internet: Required for downloading the evaluation installer and SSMS
These requirements ensure smooth installation and error-free operation.
Installing SQL Server 2025
SQL Server installation has two parts:
- Database Engine Installation (SQL Server 2025 Server)
- Management Tool Installation (SSMS)
Step-by-Step SQL Server 2025 Installation Process
Step 1: Go to Microsoft’s official SQL Server 2025 download page. Choose the 64-bit Evaluation (EVAL)(EXE download) version for local installation. Website link
Step 2: Double click on EVAL file and then click on Download Media.
Step 3: Double-click the ENU file. It extracts a folder containing the complete SQL Server 2025 setup files.
Step 4: Double-click setup.exe to launch the SQL Server Installation Center.
Step 5: Inside the Installation Center, under planning option run the System Configuration Checker. Ensure all prerequisite checks (hardware/OS) show Passed.
Step 6: To start a new installation, choose New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to the existing installation under installation option.
Step 7: Select edition i.e, “Evaluation“. Which is free for 180 days.
Step 8: Accept the license terms.
Step 9: Uncheck Azure Extensions .For local installations, uncheck the Azure extension option. This is only needed for cloud/hybrid environments.
Step 10: Under instance features select Database Engine Services. And aslo you change the storage location of the server on Instance Root Directory. Here by-default it is C drive.
Step 11: Click on Named instance and give a name to your SQL server.
Step 12: Now we need to configure Authentication Mode. We have two modes of authentication.
- Windows mode authentication
- Mixed mode authentication
Select the authentication mode depending upon your requirement. And Add Current User as SQL Server Administrator. This ensures you have full access after installation.
Step 13: Now click Install. Wait for SQL Server 2025 to complete installation. Ensure all steps show Success without errors.
SSMS Installation Steps
Step 1: Go to official Microsoft SSMS download page. Download the single SSMS installer file EXE. Website link
Step 2: Double-click the downloaded EXE. SSMS installer will download necessary components.
Step 3: Select components as per your requirement from
- AI assistance
- Hybrid and Migrations
- Business Intelligence
- Code tools
Step 4: Click Install and wait for completion.
Step 5: Restart your PC after installation. This activates all SSMS features.
Post-Installation Checklist
- Open SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio).
- Connect to the SQL Server 2025 instance using Windows Authentication.
- Create a sample database.
- Test simple T-SQL queries.
Please click on this link for SQL Server 2025 and SSMS tool download video.
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