How to Install and Activate SQL Server 2025, 2022, 2019 and 2017

Quick answer: Run SQL Server setup.exe, choose New SQL Server standalone installation, and on the Product Key page select Enter the product key and type your 25-character key. Already installed an evaluation? Use Maintenance → Edition Upgrade in the SQL Server Installation Center instead of reinstalling.

This guide covers SQL Server 2025 Standard, SQL Server 2025 Enterprise, SQL Server 2022 Standard, the 2019 and 2017 editions, and SQL Server CALs.

Before you start

• Check your licence model. Per-core licences (2-core packs, 16-core keys) must cover every physical core used by SQL Server, with a minimum of 4 cores per server or VM. Server + CAL licences need one CAL for each user or device that connects.
• Supported OS: a supported Windows Server or Windows 10/11 64-bit edition, with at least 6 GB free disk space and 4 GB RAM recommended.
• Run setup as an administrator and close other installers.

Step 1: Download SQL Server

The Microsoft installer downloads the full media. Choose Download Media → ISO if you want to install on a server without internet.

Step 2: Install with your product key

1. Mount the ISO and run setup.exe. The SQL Server Installation Center opens.
2. Select Installation → New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation.
3. On the Product Key page, select Enter the product key, type your key and select Next. Setup shows the edition (Standard or Enterprise) the key unlocks.
4. Accept the licence terms and let setup check the rules and updates.
5. Select the features you need, usually Database Engine Services.
6. Choose a default or named instance, set the service accounts, and choose Windows or Mixed Mode authentication. Add yourself as a SQL Server administrator.
7. Select Install and wait for every feature to show Succeeded.

Then install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) separately to manage your databases.

Step 3: Upgrade an evaluation or Developer installation

If SQL Server is already installed as Evaluation or Developer, you can switch it to your licensed edition without losing data:

1. Run setup.exe from the installation media.
2. Select Maintenance → Edition Upgrade.
3. Enter your product key, accept the terms and select the instance to upgrade.
4. Select Upgrade, then restart the SQL Server service (or the server) when finished.

Upgrade an evaluation before its 180-day period ends; after expiry the services stop.

Check the edition

In SSMS, run:

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('Edition'), SERVERPROPERTY('ProductVersion');

The result should show Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition rather than Evaluation.

SQL Server CALs

SQL Server User CALs and Device CALs aren't entered in SQL Server. They're compliance licences for the Server + CAL model: keep the keys and invoice with your licence records, one CAL per user or device that accesses SQL Server.

Troubleshooting

Still stuck? Reply to your order email with a screenshot of the setup error.

Frequently asked questions

Is SQL Server Developer edition enough?

Developer is free but licensed for development and testing only. Production databases need Standard or Enterprise.

How many 2-core packs do I need?

Enough to cover all physical cores the SQL Server instance uses, with at least 4 cores per server or virtual machine. A 16-core server needs eight 2-core packs.

Do I also need a Windows Server licence?

Yes. SQL Server runs on Windows, which is licensed separately. See our Windows Server guide.

Useful links