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I've come across this page http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=29062 and I am a bit confused about the different versions here.

So I would like to know what is the difference between

  • SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe
  • SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU.exe
  • SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU.exe


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3 Answers

up vote 67 down vote accepted

Scroll down on that page and you'll see:

Express with Tools (with LocalDB) Includes the database engine and SQL Server Management Studio Express)
This package contains everything needed to install and configure SQL Server as a database server. Choose either LocalDB or Express depending on your needs above.

That's the SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU.exe download.... (WT = with tools)

This package contains all the components of SQL Express. This is a larger download than “with Tools,” as it also includes both Full Text Search and Reporting Services.

That's the SQLEXPRADV_x64_ENU.exe download ... (ADV = Advanced Services)

The SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe file is just the database engine - no tools, no Reporting Services, no fulltext-search - just barebones engine.

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Thanks for the fast answer. Really appreciate! I missed the section presentation look like :) –  Rushino Jun 23 '12 at 14:39
Great It's Helpfull. –  Ragesh Puthiyedath Jun 6 '13 at 4:13
It appears to me then that SQL Server Express Advanced has everything, SQL Server Express With Tools has the tools (and nothing more) and SQL Server Express plain is just the database engine. Correct me if I'm wrong here... –  Shrout1 Nov 15 '13 at 20:20
@Shrout1: Express = just the engine; Express with Tools = engine + mgmt studio; Express with advanced services = engine, mgmt studio, additional features (fulltext search, reporting services, integration services, SQL Server Data Tools etc.) - that's basically what I said - or don't you agree? –  marc_s Nov 15 '13 at 20:26
Excellent! Thanks :) It was just the order that it was stated; I wasn't sure if one was inclusive of the other or not. And they say there's no such thing as a stupid question, though that might not be the case here on stack... lol. –  Shrout1 Nov 15 '13 at 20:26
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This is the best comparison chart around. It compares ALL aspects of all MS SQL server editions. To compare three editions you are asking about, just focus on the last three columns of every table in there.

Summary compiled from the above document:

    * = contains the feature
                                           SQLEXPR    SQLEXPRWT   SQLEXPRADV
    > SQL Server Core                         *           *           *
    > SQL Server Management Studio            -           *           *
    > Distributed Replay – Admin Tool         -           *           *
    > LocalDB                                 -           *           *
    > SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT)            -           -           *
    > Full-text and semantic search           -           -           *
    > Specification of language in query      -           -           *
    > some of reporting services features     -           -           *
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Nice thanks! Its really clear. –  Rushino Feb 7 at 13:08
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