SQL Server Express 2025 Fails to install
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Richard Stephens
0
Reputation points
The current SQL Server Express 2025 comes up with a "Missing DLL. Contact you software supplier." message (twice) on a brand new Windows 11 PC. It does not tell you what DLL is missing. This download was taken right off of the Microsoft site. (Note, the 2025 Evaluation installed just fine, but may no longer be used.)
SQL Server | Other
{count} votes
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Viorel 125.8K Reputation points2025-12-22T16:45:55.4666667+00:00 Maybe any evaluation and preview version should be uninstalled.
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Richard Stephens 0 Reputation points
2025-12-22T16:50:05.3266667+00:00 Let me clarify. In the past, the 2025 evaluation installed ok. It no longer works. I did NOT install the evaluation copy on this PC because Microsoft stopped that version from installing. I was just pointing out that it worked in the past (on other Windows 11 PCs), and the new 2025 Express does not work.
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Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator2025-12-22T22:20:42.4+00:00 At which stage does this happen? I ran the SQL 2025 installer a couple of days back. It did failed eventually, because I was doing a test, but I believe that I came past the point where it would have failed because of missing DLLs.
What was the exact link you used for the download?
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Richard Stephens 0 Reputation points
2025-12-22T22:40:43.7366667+00:00 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads. The "Download Now" from SQL Server 2025 Express on the right side.
This is the first customer that I was installing the non-evaluation version of 2025. This appeared to be a brand new Windows 11 PC. The missing DLLs messages came up during the installation speedbar. I did not have Azure included, and only the database engine.
I would rather install SQL 2022 Express, but I am finding that it is becoming less and less compatible with Windows 11. (Especially with M.2 boards and larger sector sizes.)
If Microsoft would simply spew out what DLL is missing, then I would have something to go on. In my humble opinion, I should never get a missing DLL message.....any needed DLL should be in the install. This is the first time I have gotten this message since I started installing SQL Server products in 2002.
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Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2025-12-22T22:48:12.2433333+00:00 You do have an x64 processor haven't you?
Which installation type did you select? Basic, Custom or Download Media? I re-downloaded the installation file, just in case they have updated it and messed things up.
I'm not sure what the issue with M.2 you are referring to. When it comes to the sector size, the only difference is that you get a warning if you use the Download media option. SQL Server is still not supporting sector sizes > 4096.
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Richard Stephens 0 Reputation points
2025-12-22T23:01:29.6566667+00:00 I was on a customer's PC remotely. All new PCs are 64 bit.
I selected Custom, where it downloads to the c:\SQL2025 folder and runs the setup from there.
There was a huge issue with large sector sizes on M.2 boards where earlier SQL Server Express installs simply failed. I ran into it three times with SQL 2022 at different customer sites. 2025 is supposed to handle this issue.
My main point is that I should never get a missing DLL message. That tells me that Microsoft did not properly test install their installation.
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Erland Sommarskog 129.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
2025-12-22T23:10:11.4466667+00:00 I was able to install SQL Server 2025 Express with the Download Media option.
In C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\170\Setup Bootstrap\Log there is a folder for each installation attempt with plenty of log files. Of most interest are summary.txt and detail.txt.
What I had in mind when I asked about x64 is that they are Intel/AMD x64 and not ARM machines. SQL Server does not run on ARM.
It's past midnight in my time zone, so this is my last post for now.
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Richard Stephens 0 Reputation points
2025-12-22T23:17:54.0133333+00:00 Ah. I see. I have not run into ARM processors yet. I will ask the customer if that is so. Thank you for your insights.
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