Beginning with SQL Server 2016 (13.x), SQL Server is only available as a 64-bit application. Here are important details about how to get SQL Server and how to install it.
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Editions and features: Review the supported features for the different editions and versions of SQL Server to determine which best suits your business needs.
Sample databases and sample code aren't installed as part of SQL Server Setup by default, but can be installed for non-Express editions of SQL Server. For more information, see Microsoft SQL samples.
Installation media
The download location for SQL Server depends on the edition:
SQL Server Enterprise, Standard, and Express editions are licensed for production use. For the Enterprise and Standard Editions, contact your software vendor for the installation media. You can find purchasing information and a directory of Microsoft partners on the Microsoft licensing page.
Installation fails if you launch setup through Remote Desktop Connection with the media on a local resource in the RDC client. To install remotely the media must be on a network share or local to the physical or virtual machine. SQL Server installation media may be either on a network share, a mapped drive, a local drive, or presented as an ISO to a virtual machine.
SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:
Configure SQL Server and Windows Firewall with Advanced Security to provide for network connections to an instance of SQL Server in a multi-homed environment.
Administer an SQL Server database infrastructure for cloud, on-premises and hybrid relational databases using the Microsoft PaaS relational database offerings.
Learn about features that can be installed when you select SQL Server Database Engine from Components to Install of the SQL Server Installation Wizard.
This article describes features supported by the various editions of SQL Server 2017, which accommodate different performance, runtime, and price requirements.