# Install Microsoft SQL Server

The RMH apps used Microsoft SQL Server for data storage. You must install a version of Microsoft SQL Server that is capable of meeting the store's current and future needs for data storage, memory, and processing power.

{% hint style="warning" %}
This topic is provided as an example only. Refer to the official Microsoft documentation if you install Microsoft SQL Server in stores.
{% endhint %}

1. Go to [**https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads**](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads).

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2. Under **Express**, click **Download now**. The setup executable is downloaded to your computer.

{% hint style="warning" %}
This procedure demonstrates how to install Microsoft SQL Server Express. This version of SQL Server may not be sufficient to meet a store's needs for data storage, memory, and processing power.
{% endhint %}

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3. Go to your **Downloads** folder.

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4. Double-click the Microsoft SQL Server setup executable.
5. If prompted **Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?**, click **Yes**.
6. On the **Select an installation type** screen of the installation wizard, click **Custom**.

{% hint style="info" %}
You must select **Custom** so you can select the features you want to install, configure the instance name, and select the authentication mode.
{% endhint %}

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7. On the **Specify SQL Server media download target location** screen of the installation wizard, select a download location for the installation package.

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8. Click **Install**. The installation package is downloaded and the **SQL Server Installation Center** dialog displays.
9. Click **New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation**.

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10. On the **License Terms** screen, select **I accept the license terms and Privacy Statement** and click **Next**.

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11. On the **Microsoft Update** screen, select **Use Microsoft Update to check for updates** and click **Next**.

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12. On the **Install Rules** screen, review any issues that were identified and fix them, then click **Next**.

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For example, there is a Windows Firewall warning because port 1433 is not open, which will prevent remote access to Microsoft SQL Server.

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13. On the **Azure Extension for SQL Server** screen, clear the checkbox beside **Azure Extension for SQL Server** and click **Next**.

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14. On the **Feature Selection** screen, select **Database Engine Services**, clear all other check marks, and click **Next**.

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15. On the **Instance Configuration** screen, enter a different **Named instance** if desired and click **Next**.

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16. On the **Server Configuration** screen, accept the defaults and click **Next**.

{% hint style="info" %}
You do not need to enter a **Password** or change the **Startup Type**. You also do not need to select **Grant Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks privilege to SQL Server Database Engine Service**.
{% endhint %}

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17. On the **Database Engine Configuration** screen, select **Mixed Mode** and enter a password.

{% hint style="warning" %}
This is the most critical step in the installation. When you connect to the SQL Server, you want to use SQL Authentication. If you use Windows Authentication, the owner of the database will be the Windows user. If you use SQL Authentication, the owner of the database will be a SQL user.
{% endhint %}

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18. Wait while installation and configuration are completed. This may take a few minutes.

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19. On the **Complete** screen, review the installation results.

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20. Click **Close**.

{% hint style="info" %}
If the Microsoft SQL Server instance is installed on a remote computer, you will need to enable TCP/IP and open port 1433 to allow the RMH apps to communicate with SQL Server.
{% endhint %}


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