Installing SQL Server 2025

Microsoft has recently release SQL Server 2025. So it is my time to get it hands on.

One of the thing they highlight in this release is AI ready, but I have my doubts on that. SQL Server 2025 i.e. version 17 has vector data type support in-built, which is why they say it is AI ready. But how useful is that? We will see.

One other major thing I see is discontinuation of "Web" edition. Probably not a significant thing for most, but, as a developer and DBA involved in SME (Small and Medium Enterprises), we edition was a very attractive cost reduction option. So I'm kind of disappointed with this.

Resource Governor is now available for standard edition, which is good and also express edition now support up to 50GB database. All these are good for SME sector.

There are two developer editions now:

1. Standard Developer Edition
2. Enterprise Developer Edition

They provide feature of corresponding edition to developer for free.

You can get more information about SQL Server 2025 from it's official page -> here.

I have tried Standard Developer Edition, as I'm mostly work on standard Edition.

Setup file is about 1.2 GB in size, so note that when you download it.

First of all new icon is looking good and modern.

When you start the wizard you get decade old starting screen. I think it is big time that Microsoft need to modernize this?

I went for new installation.

Then you need to choose, the edition you want to install. Note that there is lot more options in there now, such as pay-as-you-go edition via Azure subscription. That's looks cool.

I'm installing Standard Developer edition.

Then you accept the licensing terms.

After that, installation will check for further updates to installation and check installation rules (requirements). Of course there is usual warning on Firewall rules, this can be setup later once installation is done.

Next, you are presented with "Azure Extension for SQL Server". This allows on-premise SQL server to be part of your Azure management group, so you can manage them from a central location. I think this is another cool feature. For my testing purpose, I will just skip this.

You presented with familiar, feature selection page, when you press Next on above screen. I have just selected SQL server database engine. Note that there is new "AI service and Language Extension" feature, which I will skip for now.

Also note the link to download, BI Report server as there is no more Reporting Services.

When you press next on above page, setup will check feature rules (any conflicts and pre-requisite missing).

Then you are presented with feature configuration. This will be vary depending on features you have selected.

I have gone for named instance, since I already have default instance used for previous version of the installation. Note that setup has identified my version 15 installation and it has put the edition as "Enterprise Developer" (there was only one developer edition back then).

Server configuration page:

In Database Engine configuration page, you have few tabs to configure.

First Authentication tab:

I have gone for mixed mode authentication, because I needed offline authentication for testing. Nothing seems to be new in this tab.

Next tab, you choose directories for various tasks:

Since this is just a demo, I will be using the defaults.

TempDB configuration is much more detail now. You can select multiple directories for tempdb data.

You can configure memory now during setup:

MaxDOP can be configured also:

Most of these were configurable later via server property page. In this version we have ability configure them setup time.

Now we are ready to install.

Time for the setup to complete will be vary depending on the features and options you have selected. But at the end you will see following dialog:

Next we will log into database using SSMS. Wait, we need to install new SSMS first for that, so let's take a look at that in next blog post.