Free Commerce Server 2007, SQL 2005, Visual Studio Web, and C# Express

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Did you know that Commerce Server 2007 Developer Edition can run using SQL Express as the data store and Visual Studio Web Express to edit your Starter Site and that's not all you can download the Visual C# Express to create application with Commerce Server 2007.

Of course this is not tested by the product group but I took it upon myself to do the work.

Here is what you need to do:

  1. Make sure you have a clean system running Windows 2003 SP1 or R2 with latest updates.
  2. Download the Microsoft® SQL Server® 2005 Express Edition making sure to download the SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services SP1 and install it. Be sure to check the Full Text option during the installation.
  3. Next download the Visual Web Developer 2005 Express Edition and install accepting all defaults.
  4. Then download the Visual C# 2005 Express Edition and install accepting all defaults.
  5. Now we are ready for Commerce Server download the Commerce Server 2007 Developer Edition for free and install accepting all defaults then configure Commerce Server.
  6. Download the Commerce Server 2007 Starter Site and follow the instructions in the readme for installation and configuration.
  7. Download the Commerce Server 2007 Partner Software Development Kit and install to the SDK folder of Commerce Server.

That's it now you have a full functional starter site that you can review and modify as well as view the new Management Applications and if you want to know how they were designed or you want to modify them you can do that using Visual C# Express, and it's all free. Another scenario that this fits is that you maybe training folks and you never have to worry about reinstalling software :).

Caveats

  1. No BizTalk 2006 it's not free but you can download the evaluation bits.
  2. No Data Warehouse and Analytics but you can download the evaluation bits.
  3. No support form PSS at least not yet :).

Summary

So what does this mean? If you are developer, a hobbyist or someone who is curious about Commerce Server 2007 and want to know what all the BUZ is about you can do that free.