SQL Server 2008 Client Tools Installation

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Problem

I have seen your recent tips (SQL Server 2008 Installation Process) on SQL Server 2008 installations.  I think these are great for installing an instance of SQL Server.  How do I just install the client tools (SQL Server Management Studio, Business Intelligence Management Studio, etc.) on DBA and Developer workstations?  I have reviewed the options in the SQL Server Installation Center, but I am missing that piece of the puzzle to install the client tools.

Solution

The SQL Server 2008 installation process has changed and Microsoft has provided a number of new options and resources for completing the installation.   These options have simplified a number of installation aspects and probably opened up some new opportunities that the SQL Server community was not aware of previously.  For more information on the general SQL Server installation process check out the following tips:

With that baseline set of information covered, let's jump into the process for installing the SQL Server 2008 client tools (SQL Server Management Studio, Business Intelligence Management Studio, etc.).  In a nutshell, once you run the setup application on your installation media the SQL Server Installation Center will load.  Then navigate to the installation option then select the option to install a new stand-alone instance.  Once you begin this installation process you can just select the client tools to complete the process.  With that being said, here are the detailed steps:

SQL Server 2008 Client Tools Installation

Run the setup program from the installation media to load the SQL Server Installation Center.  

sysetem configuration checker

Once the SQL Server Installation Center loads navigate to the 'Installation' option and select the 'New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation' option.  To me this is the key step in the process, i.e. knowing where to start the installation process for the client tools because it is not 100% intuitive.

new sql server

Many of the screen shots to complete the process are listed in the SQL Server 2008 Installation Process - Part 2 tip.  For the sake of brevity, once you being the installation process the Feature Selection screen is where you have the option to just install the client tools as shown below.

image

As you complete the process you will be able to confirm your selections by reviewing the options in the Ready to Install screen as shown below.

setup

In this circumstance, the tools are installed in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\ directory.  The tools can also be accessed by navigating to Start | All Programs | Microsoft SQL Server 2008.

Next Steps


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About the author
MSSQLTips author Jeremy Kadlec Jeremy Kadlec is a Co-Founder, Editor and Author at MSSQLTips.com with more than 300 contributions. He is also the CTO @ Edgewood Solutions and a six-time SQL Server MVP. Jeremy brings 20+ years of SQL Server DBA and Developer experience to the community after earning a bachelor's degree from SSU and master's from UMBC.

This author pledges the content of this article is based on professional experience and not AI generated.

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Comments For This Article




Thursday, January 9, 2014 - 3:56:41 AM - Shabu Back To Top (28000)

Nice article and MS Setup do miss the guide setup installation. This artice really helped me. Thanks Jermey

Monday, March 18, 2013 - 6:26:54 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (22856)

Jeff,

In general yes, that should not be a problem.

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec
Community Co-Leader

Monday, March 18, 2013 - 11:34:13 AM - Jeff Back To Top (22848)

I am running a server with SQL 2005 installed.  Can i install the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express on that server and not cause trouble?  The SSMS 2005 Client is installed. 

Just wondering if this can cause any trouble

Jeff

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 10:33:41 PM - Omey Samaroo Back To Top (22768)

Perfect, thank you Jeremy. I appreciate your time and guidance. Keep up the great work. I will stop by your forum from time to time to read blogs and learn some more cool things.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 1:02:51 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (22752)

Omey,

That should be fine. The file you mentioned is a 32 bit installation for SQL Server Express Edition.

HTH.

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec
Community Co-Leader

Tuesday, March 12, 2013 - 11:09:51 AM - Omey Samaroo Back To Top (22745)

Jeremy, thanks for the information. I am really glad I stopped by this forum. On last question as I am unsure which of the files I should start with, perhaps you can suggest the one you think is appropriate. What I need to do is simply to connect from my desktop to the SQL Server and generate a few queries and reports. Will ENU\x86\SQLEXPRADV_x86_ENU.exe do the trick?

Monday, March 11, 2013 - 8:16:13 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (22717)

Omey,

No problem.  Have you checked out the SQL Server Express, LocalDB or Developer Editions?  Check out these URLs:

 

Express

http://www.mssqltips.com/sql-server-tip-category/111/express-edition/

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

 

LocalDB Edition

http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2694/getting-started-with-sql-server-2012-express-localdb/

 

Developer Edition

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/en_US/pd/ThemeID.27509700/SQL-Server-2012-Developer-Edition/productID.249344600

 

HTH.

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec
Community Co-Leader

Monday, March 11, 2013 - 5:12:08 PM - Omey Samaroo Back To Top (22713)

Thank you for your prompt response Jeremy. I am looking for an inexpensive way to access the data from SQL Server Database. Do I have to purchase Client versions and then install (SSMS, BIDS, SSIS, VS, drivers, etc.)?

My apologies if this seems very basic, but I am new to your forum and have not actually used SQL Server in the past. Alternatively, is it possible to use the client tools you mentioned without installing the client or must the client be installed too. Alternatively can Microsoft Access to connect to the SQL Server (cost is a driver).

 

Monday, March 11, 2013 - 2:52:38 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (22712)

Omey,

I would recommend using the client tools (SSMS, BIDS, SSIS, VS, drivers, etc.) that were released with the version of SQL Server you are working with or use newer tools.

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec
Community Co-Leader

Monday, March 11, 2013 - 1:57:25 PM - Omey Samaroo Back To Top (22710)

Is it possible to use SQL Client 2005 and connect to SQL Server 2008? If so, what is the trade-off of doing so?

Friday, December 28, 2012 - 4:58:00 PM - manuel Back To Top (21182)

That´s great, Jeremy. I just finished to read the tip and and find it very suitable to my needs.

Thanks.

Manuel

Thursday, December 27, 2012 - 3:16:51 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (21163)

Manuel,

Have you checked out this tip?

http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2024/introduction-to-sql-server-express-2008-r2/

HTH.

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec
Community Co-Leader

Saturday, December 22, 2012 - 1:53:35 PM - manuel Back To Top (21094)

Thank you Jeremy, your post clear me about bids as a client component of ms sql to install. But unfortunatelly bids as feature it´s not available for express editions. This is really a problem for me. ¿Is there any way for create an olap cube on express edition and use mdx querying?

thanks in advance

Friday, June 15, 2012 - 3:02:42 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (18038)

Micro,

Did you see this paragraph in the tip:

"Once the SQL Server Installation Center loads navigate to the 'Installation' option and select the 'New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation' option. To me this is the key step in the process, i.e. knowing where to start the installation process for the client tools because it is not 100% intuitive."

Does this make sense?

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec

Thursday, June 14, 2012 - 4:41:43 AM - Micro Back To Top (17985)

I have installed SQL server 2008 on my server and setup the Database path, How do i install the client SQL and were do i get it.

Thank You

Friday, April 6, 2012 - 3:07:45 PM - Jerry Back To Top (16804)

Have SQL installed, and the remote, still unable after trying everything to get port 1433 to respond.

When I do a port scan, it still shows closed. Any ideas?

Thursday, February 3, 2011 - 1:50:55 PM - Jeremy Kadlec Back To Top (12823)

hriosm,

That is great to hear.  Let us know if we can help out with anyone SQL Server questions you might have.

Thank you,
Jeremy Kadlec

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 - 5:47:00 PM - hriosm Back To Top (12799)

thank you so much!!! for these screenshots, really helpful to do my installation.

 

Best regards

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 9:31:37 AM - admin Back To Top (5873)

Take a look at this KB article:

Cannot install SQL Server Management tool on Windows XP or Windows Vista platform using the SQL 2008 DVD included in SBS 2008 premium edition

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/958978

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 8:58:08 AM - phil Back To Top (5872)

EditionRequirementCheck Checks whether the SQL Server edition is supported on this operating system. Failed This SQL Server edition is not supported on this operating system. See SQL Server Books Online for information about supported operating systems for SQL Small Business Server edition.

 
Running windows 2008 small business server premium and this is trying to install client on windows xp service pack 3

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 3:39:31 PM - admin Back To Top (5868)

What error messages are you getting?

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 3:27:17 PM - phil Back To Top (5867)

I have tried this numerous times and I receive failed status for operating system supported for edition.  Using windows xp service pack 3. Any ideas?














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