The most up-to-date version of this file is available online at the Microsoft Download Center.

The SQL Server documentation team welcomes your documentation feedback. We view and investigate all documentation issues but do not answer technical support questions here. For help with technical issues not related to documentation, see Getting Assistance with SQL Server Compact Edition.

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Contents

1.0 Introduction

Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2005 Compact Edition (SQL Server Compact Edition) is the next version of Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition (SQL Server Mobile) and will replace it later this year. SQL Server Compact Edition contains runtime binary files for desktop only and can be run on Tablet PCs and desktop computers. The binary files that provide device support are not included in this release. The following are important considerations when you install SQL Server Compact Edition on a desktop computer or Tablet PC:

  • Unless you are using the OLEDB data provider, the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 or a later version is required to install SQL Server Compact Edition. You can download the .NET Framework 2.0 from .NET Framework 2.0 Download Center.

  • You do not need Visual Studio 2005 or SQL Server 2005 installed before you install SQL Server Compact Edition.

  • To replicate data between SQL Server and SQL Server Compact Edition, you require SQL Server 2005 or SQL Server 2000 SP3a replication components. For more information about SQL Server Replication components requirements, see the "Hardware and Software Requirements" topic in SQL Server Compact Edition Books Online.

  • To develop applications, you can use OLEDB or ADO.NET. For richer support, you can install Visual Studio 2005.

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1.1 Obtaining SQL Server Compact Edition

You can download the SQL Server Compact Edition (SQLServerCE31-EN.msi) at the Microsoft Download Center. The Books Online provides detailed information about the development, administration and deployment of SQL Server Compact Edition on desktop computers, mobile devices and tablet PCs.

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1.2 SQL Server Compact Edition Books Online

SQL Server Compact Edition Books Online is available for download at the Microsoft Download Center. The Books Online provides detailed information about the development, administration and deployment of SQL Server Compact Edition on desktop computers, mobile devices and tablet PCs.

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2.0 Supported Platforms

This release of SQL Server Compact Edition supports:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional SP2

  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2

  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2002 SP2

  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 SP2

  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition SP2

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition SP1

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition SP1

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition SP1

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Standard Edition

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Enterprise Edition

  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2, Datacenter Edition

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional SP4

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server SP4

  • Windows Vista

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3.0 Documentation Notes

3.1 SQL Server Compact Edition Deployment Support

You can deploy a SQL Server Compact Edition application to a desktop by using ClickOnce support in Visual Studio 2005. DataDirectory substitution string also simplifies deploying an application. For more information about ClickOnce and DataDirectory, see the Installing a Development Environment and Installing SQL Server Compact Edition on a Desktop and a Tablet PC topics in SQL Server Compact Edition Books Online and Microsoft Knowledge Base article 920700.

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4.0 Known Issues

4.1 Database Encryption

To maintain backward compatibility, the database encryption feature of SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition uses the same encryption algorithms as SQL Server 2005 Mobile Edition. These algorithms are somewhat outdated and do not provide a level of security that satisfies the standard Microsoft product policies. We recommend that users use another way, such as Encrypted File System, to help secure data.

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5.0 Additional Information

This section describes how to get assistance with and provide feedback about SQL Server Compact Edition.

5.1 Getting SQL Server Compact Edition Assistance

For more information, see the SQL Server Compact Edition Forum and SQL Server Compact Edition Team Blog Web sites.

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5.2 Providing Feedback about SQL Server Compact Edition

To provide suggestions and bug reports about SQL Server Compact Edition:

  • Make suggestions and file bug reports about the features and user interface of SQL Server Compact Edition at the MSDN product feedback Web site.

  • Send suggestions and report inaccuracies about the documentation by using the feedback functionality in SQL Server Compact Edition Books Online.

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