During installation, select the "Download Media" option to get the installation files, or select "Custom" and ensure LocalDB is checked.
Let’s build a workflow that mimics a portable SQL Server Express setup using LocalDB and file-based databases. This allows you to carry your database files on a USB stick and work on any Windows machine (after a one-time LocalDB installation). ms sql server express portable
Copy a folder to a new machine and start working instantly. During installation, select the "Download Media" option to
If you are looking for a "portable" database because you want to distribute a desktop application to clients without making them install SQL Server, you might be looking for an embedded database engine. Copy a folder to a new machine and start working instantly
However, it is essential to approach these unofficial customizations with extreme caution. These tools operate in a legal gray area regarding Microsoft’s licensing terms and may lack rigorous security updates, leaving any application that relies on them vulnerable to critical security issues. No professional production application should rely on such repackaged, community-sourced database engines.
Get the SQL Server Express installer from Microsoft.