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All previous version of SQL Server Express were available in both web and full downloads. But I cannot find full download of SQL Server® 2016 Express. Does it exist?

Asked the same question on MSDN forums, not much luck: https://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/sqlexpress/thread/4bfaa080-ec3b-4677-b2b8-cd0b60dc9486/.

goodfellow
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Alex I
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    If you got the answer to your question, mark it as "accepted". You'll get some points too. – Agostino Jun 21 '17 at 15:20
  • I'm also looking for this 2016 version because I can tweak it to use the dark theme in Windows 7. –  Oct 09 '18 at 01:19

6 Answers6

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When you can't apply Juki's answer then after selecting the desired version of media you can use Fiddler to determine where the files are located.

SQL Server 2019 Express Edition (English):

SQL Server 2017 Express Edition (English):

SQL Server 2016 with SP2 Express Edition (English):

SQL Server 2016 with SP1 Express Edition (English):

And here is how to use Fiddler.

Ian Kemp
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goodfellow
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    Shame for Microsoft for Search/Catalogization – Roman M Aug 30 '18 at 06:21
  • Is SQL Server 2016 Advanced is free? I can install only Open source or Licensed (purchased) software in my Client Machine. I want to install it in my client's machine. – Crazy Developer Aug 07 '19 at 10:18
  • Yes, it's free. See details here: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/2011716/can-i-use-free-sqlserver-express-in-commercial-app – goodfellow Aug 12 '19 at 00:44
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    Thanks a lot for sharing the direct links! For anyone who is still using Windows 7: SQL Server 2017 and newer won't work - use 2016 or older (see [details](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/47441726/error-when-start-an-instance-of-sqllocqldb-2017-on-windows-7-64bit-entry-point)) – AntonK Feb 25 '20 at 17:08
  • Thanks a lot for sharing the direct links!! Is there a *spanish* version of sql server 2017 or 2016?? – M4uriXD Apr 10 '20 at 00:19
  • @AntonK: Only SQL Server 2016 LocalDB seems to install on Windows 7. 2016 Core version refuses to install. – Roland Pihlakas Apr 26 '20 at 19:24
  • Maybe my comment will not be very useful. But I have some questions. Is there a Spanish version of SQL Server 2016?? Why is not published on the answer? Why you published only English versions? Spanish versions are useful too. – M4uriXD May 08 '21 at 14:06
  • Very helpful links, thank you. If you are able to update with 2016 SP3 that would be great. – Jack Douglas Aug 06 '22 at 16:32
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    I can't edit right now, but [this](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/42951632/sql-server-express-localdb-msi-offline-installer/42952186#comment95525848_42952186) other comment is a very useful/easy way of getting the download links - eg https://download.microsoft.com/download/3/8/d/38de7036-2433-4207-8eae-06e247e17b25/SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe – Jack Douglas Nov 17 '22 at 13:02
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Scott Hanselman put together a great summary page with all of the various SQL downloads here https://www.hanselman.com/blog/DownloadSQLServerExpress.aspx.

For offline installers, see this answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/42952186/407188

ebol2000
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    It doesn't seem to include links to the full offline installers though... – mabian69 Jun 22 '18 at 10:56
  • This answer is helpful to me because I'm able to download the 2016 version and tweak it to use dark theme, also I can see after the installation that it adds SQL Profiler. –  Oct 09 '18 at 01:20
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Once you start the web installer there's an option to download media, that being the full installation package. There's even download options for what kind of package to download.

Juki
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Download the developer edition. There you can choose Express as license when installing.

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Martin Kouba
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  • This is very helpful, if you are working with so many applications and want to use both Developer and Express. This way you only need one download and can be use for both installs, saving hard drive space. – Dush Sep 20 '21 at 09:11
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SQL Server 2022 Express Edition (English) download link is

SQL Server 2022 Express Edition with Advanced Services (English) download link is

DotNet Developer
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Log in to https://my.visualstudio.com (it is free to register), navigate to Downloads, then search for the product you want to download. At this moment SQL Server 2019 and 2022 are available. Choose the edition, the format and the language, then press Download. This way you can get also the non-English installers.

Zsolti
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