SQL Express Beta 2 coming soon

The full Beta 2 version of SQL Express is coming soon.  While the Beta 2 release will not add any new features, it does contain many bug fixes that were not in the Tech Preview.  We recommend upgrading to Beta 2 as soon as it is available.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Unfortunately, the Beta 2 build requires a later build of the .NET Framework than the Tech Preview.  You will need to uninstall the 2.0 Framework and download the updated version from the Express download page before attempting to install Express Beta 2.  Also, SQL Express Beta 2 and Tech Preview builds cannot be installed side by side on the same machine.  This means that if you have Express installed you will need to uninstall all the Tech Preview components before attempting to install Beta 2.  You can find a preview of the download page instructions below:

·  Step 1: Use Add/Remove Programs to remove any earlier version (lower than 9.00.852) of SQL Server 2005 components (if any). Remove all of the following components (if exists) in the same order as listed below:

  • Microsoft SQL Server "Yukon" Beta 1
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Tools Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Tools Express Edition Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Data Transformation Services Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Analysis Services Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Notification Services Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Reporting Services Beta 2
  • Microsoft SQL Server Setup Support Files
  • Microsoft SQL Native Client

Note: It is not necessary to remove previous versions of SQL Server such as SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 7.0 or any earlier versions.

·  Step 2: Use Add/Remove Programs to remove Microsoft .NET Framework Versions 1.2 or 2.0, if installed.

Note: It is not necessary to uninstall Microsoft .NET Framework Versions 1.0 and 1.1.

·  Step 3: Download and install the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 available at Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 download center page.

·  Step 4: Install SQL Server Express by clicking the Download button on the upper right corner of this page. SQLExpr.exe is a self-extracting installation package of SQL Server Express. Save SQLExpr.exe file to your computer.