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Using SQL 2005 Express with the XP Embedded Database

SQL 2005 presents many advancements in the SQL Database product line and represents several new technologies which aim to aide users and administrators alike. Fortunately for those who use the previous free version of SQL named MSDE (Microsoft SQL Desktop Engine) there is a new free version of SQL 2005 affectionately named SQL 2005 Express.

It may be of interest to those who utilize the MSDE product to power their XP Embedded database to now use SQL 2005 Express. There are a couple things that one must do though in order to let the XP Embedded database installation recognize and utilize the newer engine. Unfortunately the default instance name in Express has been changed from "MSSQLSERVER" to "SQLEXPRESS" which in turn prevents the database from installing on top of it.

Below are three screen shots and notes of the most important points of the installation of Express. Following these three screenshots as a guideline will enable a Windows XP Embedded database to be installed in conjunction to SQL 2005 Express.

UNCHECK "Hide advanced configuration options" in the screen below.

 

Here's the most important part. See this dialog's default Named Instance of "SQLEXPRESS" below?

 

Change that Named Instance to "MSSQLSERVER" like this screenshot below.

Updated 8/

**Updated 8/31/07 with correct link** Please visit this link to get your copy of SQL 2005 Express.

For more information on SQL 2005 Express, please refer to the SQL 2005 Express Homepage.

- Nick

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