Installing SQL Server Express and the Management Studio

The SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integral component for administrating SOLIDWORKS PDM, as it allows us to maintain and capture backups of the database.  When installing a new instance of SQL Express for PDM Standard via the installation manager, the management studio is not included and requires a separate download and install.  In this article, we’re going to look at how to install a new instance of SQL and include the SSMS, ahead of installing PDM Standard.

SOLIDWORKS PDM Install options

How to download and install SQL Server Express with the Management Studio

• Download and run the installer;
  • SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU.exe

Choose the download

• Select New SQL Server stand-alone installation or add features to an existing installation

New SQL Server stand-alone installation

• Read and accept the license terms, then select Next.
• The installer checks for issues, if any are reported; these will need to be resolved before continuing.  If no problems are returned we can hit Next;

Installer checks for issues

• For Feature Selection, choose;
  • Database Engine Services
  • Client Tools Connectivity
  • Client Tools Backward Compatibility
  • Client Tools SDK
  • Management Tools – Basic
  • Management Tools – Complete
• Then hit Next

Feature Selection

• For Instance Configuration;
  • If a new install we can choose Default Instance
  • If there’s an existing SQL install, we can choose Named instance

Instance Configuration

• For Server Configuration, set the following;
  • SQL Server Database Engine:
    • Account Name: NT Service\MSSQL$[INSTANCENAME]
    • Startup Type: Automatic
  • SQL Server Browser:
    • Account Name: NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE
    • Startup Type: Automatic
• Hit Next;

Server Configuration

• For Database Engine Configuration, select the following;
  • Authentication Mode
    • Choose Mixed Mode
    • Enter a STRONG password for the sa (system administration) account
  • Specify SQL Server Administrators
    • Add the local administrator account
• Hit Next

Database Engine Configuration

• Installs will begin…..when complete, click Close;

When complete, click Close

and a new instance of SQL will be installed, complete with the management studio;

SQL Server Installed

Now, when installing PDM standard we can choose the already created instance of SQL Express;

Installing SOLIDWORKS PDM standard