SQL Server 2008 Express now available for download

August 11, 2008

On the heels of SQL Server 2008 being released to manufacturing last week, SQL Server 2008 Express was made available for download today. As with SQL Server 2005 Express, SQL Server 2008 Express will be released in stages. SQL Server 2008 with Advanced Services and the new SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools edition will be made available in coming weeks.

SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools includes the core database engine and SQL Server Management Studio Basic. This is the ideal edition for people that want the essential tools for developing relational database applications. Advanced features such as Integrated Full Text Search, Reporting Services and BIDS will be available in SQL Server 2008 Express Advanced.

Resource Links

Download SQL Server 2008 Express (We encourage you to register)
SQL Server 2008 Express Overview
SQL Server 2008 Express Weblog
Visual Studio 2008 SP1

Prerequisites

Overview

SQL Server 2008 Express (for Advanced users)

SQL Server database engine – Create, store, update and retrieve your data
Available: Now

SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools (Recommended – New)

SQL Server database engine – Create, store, update and retrieve your data
SQL Server Management Studio Basic – Visual database management tool for creating, editing and managing databases
Available: End of August 2008

SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services (for Advanced users)

SQL Server database engine – Create, store, update and retrieve your data
SQL Server Management Studio Basic – Visual database management tool for creating, editing and managing databases
Full-text Search – Powerful, high-speed engine for searching text-intensive data
Reporting Services – Integrated report creation and design environment to create reports
Available: End of August 2008

Feature	SQL Server 2008 Express	SQL Server 2008 Express with Tools	SQL Server 2008 Express with Advanced Services
Tools & Management
PowerShell Integration