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Christopher MostFlag for United States of America

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Installing SQL Server 2014 Express on Server 2008 R2 - OS does not meet requirements (even though it should)

I have a Server 2008 R2 that is fully updated.  I am trying to install SQL Server 2014 Express but it keeps telling me that the OS does not meet the minimum specifications.  I did make sure that the .Net 3.5 SP1 was installed.  It took me a while to find the correct patch but it said it was already installed from the MS updates.  According to SQL Express 2014 it is compatible with Server 2008 R2 so it should work.  It would be nice if MS was a little more verbose and let me know what is missing.
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Raja Jegan R
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SQL Server 2014 requires .Net Framework 3.5 SP1 along with .Net Framework 4.0. If they aren't available in your machine and if your Server 2008 R2 machine has internet access then SQL Server installer will download and install those.
Powershell 2.0 is required before installation and if not available then SQL Server 2014 can't be installed.
As per your statement above, Hope you are missing both Powershell 2.0 and .Net Framework 4.0, kindly install those and try again.
Complete details in MSDN page below for your reference:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server?view=sql-server-2014
are you trying to install SQL Express x64 on an x86 OS?
control panel/system and check
POC that it works https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBymDZQMx1s
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I have verified that both PowerShell 2.0 and .NET Framework 4.0 are both installed.  In PowerShell I typed $psversiontable and it replied that PSVersion is 2.0.  I can also see that there are plenty of .NET Framework 4 patches installed under installed updates so it is installed also.

According to the video it did say to install the PowerShell Scripting which was not installed but I still get "The operating system on this computer or its service pack level does not meet the minimum requirements for SQL Server 2014."

By the way under the features summary it does show .NET Framework 3.5.1 as installed.  I also tried to install the 6.1.... SP1 patch for .NET Framework 3.51 and it says it is already installed.

The person who reported this to me is trying to install TimeMatters.  He has installed SQL 2008 Express in case that may be a conflict.  However the data he is importing was running on SQL Express 2014 for a week so it will not downgrade to 2008.  He told me that both SQL versions can run on the same server.

I really wish MS was a lot more verbose in these things.  Apparently the software sees something that is lacking.  I just wish it told me what it is.
>> He has installed SQL 2008 Express in case that may be a conflict.

If you have SQL Server 2008 installed, then you can install another instance of SQL Server 2014 without any issues or you can also upgrade that to SQL Server 2014.

>> However the data he is importing was running on SQL Express 2014 for a week so it will not downgrade to 2008.  He told me that both SQL versions can run on the same server.

If that person is trying to import then it will work. only backup and restore will not work from SQL Server 2014 to SQL Server 2008.
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Deepak Chauhan
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>> The minimum supported OS level for SQL 2014 is Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP2

Nice catch, kindly try installing the latest Service pack for your Server 2008 or Server 2008 R2 via Windows updates and then install SQL Server 2014 to get it work..
he will have to uninstall or UPGRADE from 2008 to 2014.
Asker did say the machine was fully patched this means to me that it also has the service packs. I did not have to install PowerShell as it is installed by default. I started with a new install of WS2008R2 without updates.
Are you trying to install the x86 version when the x64 version of express exists or vice versa?
It is a x64 OS so I was installing the x64 SQL Express.  I will uninstall 2008 and see what happens.  It is not currently running anything so that is not a problem.  I will then try it again.
OK, I just tried to install it again and the same thing.  I removed anything that had to do with SQL server from the server and rebooted it before I tried the install again.  Does MS create a log file that may tell me what it finds missing when it tries to install?  I almost doubt since I am talking about Microsoft.  This would make too much sense.
What is OS patch level ? Is it Windows Server 2008R2 Service Pack 1 ?
Hi Christopher, it would be better if you can check all experts comments and feedback to them. Can you kindly confirm the OS SP level as requested as it is one of the prerequisite for SQL Server 2014.
Sorry, I missed that one and now I feel stupid.  I thought Windows update would give the option to install SP1 and since it said no updates available I figured it was installed.  So I downloaded and installed SP1 and now the install starts.  I appreciate everybody's input on this (even though I feel a little dumb at the moment)!