Microsoft SQL Server 2008 CTP (November 2007)

Instructions for Downloading

This Community Technology Preview (CTP) is available in three downloadable formats: an image file that you can use to burn your own DVD, a self-extracting executable file that will allow you to download and install without a DVD burner and a Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) image (the Express version of the package is only available in the self-extracting format).

Step 1: Click one of the following links to download the file you want. View the Readme file by selecting the link from the Additional Information section of this page.

·         DVD Image Files:

o    x86 DVD image

o    x64 DVD image

o    IA64 DVD image

·         Self-extracting Executables:

o    x86 executable

o    x64 executable

o    IA64 executable

o    SQL Server Express 2008 executable

·         DVD Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) File Image:

o    Please visit the VHD Download page

Step 2: Follow the instructions for the type of file you've downloaded.

For DVD image files:
Using your DVD-burning software, select the options to burn a DVD from an .ISO image. When you are prompted for a file to use, select the image file that you downloaded. After burning the DVD, locate and double-click Setup.exe on the DVD to begin the installation.

For self-extracting executable files:
Run the downloaded file. You will be prompted to choose a location to extract the files to, which you can change if you want. To start the extraction, click Next. After the extraction finishes, go to the directory that you extracted the files to. Locate and double-click Setup.exe to begin the installation.