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Having trouble installing SQL Server 2012 Express on Windows 7?

I just installed Windows 7 Home Premium Edition on my laptop which is a 64-bit machine. I downloaded the SQL Server 2012 Express from the MS website. When I went to install it...it told me that it was incompatible with my machine and that I needed to determine if I had a 32-bit or 64-bit machine.

Any ideas on this? Are there different versions of MS SQL depending on hardware?

Thanks!

Tom

So have you installed a 32 or 64 bit Windows 7?
Find out by clicking on Start - right click on Computer - select Properties

Make sure you have downloaded the right version of SQL Server

BlakeMcKenna

ASKER

It should be a 64-bit Windows but I will recheck that. I ordered the version from a retailer and it had to be mailed to me. Often times that's a crap shoot!

Would you by chance have the correct link to SQL Server 2012 Express?

Tom

Here it is:
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29062

Make sure you download the version you need, after selecting Language you have several options.

BlakeMcKenna

ASKER

See screenshot. I'm assuming for 64-bit machine, it will be one of the options circled in red.
Screenshot.jpg

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Tom

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Tom

The different versions are:

LocalDB (MSI installer) (LocalDB.msi)
New to the Express family, LocalDB is a lightweight version of Express that has all its programmability features, yet runs in user mode and has a fast, zero-configuration installation and short list of pre-requisites. Use this if you need a simple way to create and work with databases from code. It can be bundled with Application and Database Development tools like Visual Studio and or embedded with an application that needs local databases.

Express (Containing only the database engine) (SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe)
The core Express database server. Use this if you need to accept remote connections or administer remotely.
Express with Tools (with LocalDB) Includes the database engine and SQL Server Management Studio Express)
This package contains everything needed to install and configure SQL Server as a database server. Choose either LocalDB or Express depending on your needs above.

SQL Server Management Studio Express (Tools only) (SQLManagementStudio_x64_ENU.exe)
This does not contain the database, but only the tools to manage SQL Server instances, including LocalDB, SQL Express, SQL Azure, etc. Use this if you already have the database and only need the management tools. This package includes LocalDB.

Express with Advanced Services (SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU.exe)
(contains the database engine, Express Tools, Reporting Services, and Full Text Search)
This package contains all the components of SQL Express. This is a larger download than “with Tools,” (SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU.exe) as it also includes both Full Text Search and Reporting Services.

The last one is the full package

BlakeMcKenna

ASKER

Tom, as it turns out, I am running 32-bit Windows 7 instead of 64-bit. I thought that's what I had purchased but as I mentioned, I bought Windows 7 and it was shipped to me. Mis-communication at it's best! Anyway, I installed the 32-bit version and that worked.
Thanks for your help!