SQL Server Evaluations

1.      Review SQL Server 2017 system requirements
2.      Review SQL Server 2017 release notes
3.      Register, then download and install full-featured software for a 180-day trial
4.      Receive emails with resources to guide you through your evaluation

Installation Guidelines

Note: You must have administrative rights on the computer to install SQL Server 2017.

SQL Server 2017 DVD Image: You can use this ISO image to burn or mount your own DVD.

• Download the following .ISO file from the Evaluation Center:
• SQLServer2017-<architecture>-<language>.iso
• Using your DVD-burning software, select the options to burn a DVD from an .ISO image. When you are prompted for a file to use, select the image file that you downloaded. After burning the DVD, locate and double-click Setup.exe on the DVD to begin the installation.

SQL Server 2017 CAB file:

• Download the following files from the Evaluation Center to a temporary directory on your device:
• SQLServer2017-<architecture>-<language>.box
• SQLServer2017-<architecture>-<language>.exe

Once the download has completed, extract the zip files then double click on the SQLServer2017-<architecture>-<language>.exe to begin the installation process.

Note: If downloading using Microsoft Edge in Windows 10, you will not have a Save option, just a Run option.  Exit the dialog by clicking the X and proceed.  Alternatively, if you do select Run, you may be presented with the Choose Directory for Extracted Files dialog with a default/proposed path that includes \System32\.  If this occurs, please change this path to another location on your system before clicking OK.

SQL Server 2017 Windows Container Image:

For instructions on how to pull and run SQL Server 2017 in a Windows container go to the SQL Server 2017 Windows container image on Docker Hub. 

SQL Server 2017 Linux Container Image:

For instructions on how to pull and run SQL Server 2017 in a Linux container go to the SQL Server 2017 Linux container image on Docker Hub. 

SQL Server 2017 on Linux:

For instructions on how to obtain and install SQL Server on Linux, please go to the SQL Server 2017 page.

SQL Server 2017 on Microsoft Azure:

For instructions on how to install SQL Server in a Microsoft Azure Virtual Machine, please go to the SQL Server on Virtual Machines webpage

Key Notes About SQL Server 2017:

• The Microsoft SQL Server 2017 release is NOT supported by Microsoft Customer Services and Support (CSS).
• The Microsoft SQL Server 2017 release is available for testing purposes only and should NOT be installed and used in production environments.
• If you have questions or concerns that come up during your testing and evaluation, we encourage you to use the MSDN forum for SQL Server to search for answers or ask new questions.