Installing SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2008 R2

Before you install SQL Server 2008, read this post about installing the pre-requisites on Windows Server 2008 R2. Here’s the guide to installing SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2008 R2.

In this example I have also prepared a special SQL Service account named DBService.

Start the setup program.

Screenshot of the SQL Server Installation Center

Select Installation.

Screenshot of selecting the New SQL Server installation

Select the New SQL Server stand-alone installation.

Screenshot of the Setup rules

When the Setup Support Rules has identified all the rules, click Ok.

Screenshot of the Product Key dialog

Enter your product key and click Next.

Screenshot of the License Terms dialog

If you agree to the License Terms, check the box and click Next.

Screenshot of the Setup Support Files dialog

Click Install.

Screenshot of the Setup Support Files in Progress dialog

Screenshot of the Setup Support Rules dialog

You will probably get a warning for the Windows Firewall. That is because some ports needs to be opened if you plan to access your SQL Server installation from outside. Read more at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=94001

Screenshot of the Rule Check Result Dialog

Screenshot  of the Feature Selection dialog

In this example I will install all features of SQL Server, but for your needs you may select only the features you will need.

Screenshot of the Instance Configuration dialog

If you have no plans of changing the Instance name or the installation root directory, leave those as per default and click Next.

Screenshot of the Disk Space Requirements dialog

Click Next.

Screenshot of the Server Configuration dialog

For this example, I will use the same service account for all SQL Server services. So click on “User the same account for all SQL Server services”.

Screenshot of the user account selection dialog

Click Browse.

Screenshot of the user account selection dialog

Enter your SQL Service account and click “Check Names” and then click Ok.

Screenshot of the user account selection dialog

Click Ok.

Screenshot of the Server Configuration dialog

Click Next.

Screenshot of the Database Enginge Configuration dialog

Click Add Current User, click Add and enter the Administrators user group. Click Next.

Screenshot of the Analysis Services Configuration dialog

If you have selected the Analysis Services, click Add Current User and click Add.. and add the Administrators user group. Click Next.

Screenshot of the Reporting Services Configuration dialog

If you have selected the Reporting Services feature, choose which Reporting Services mode you want to use. In this example I will use the integrated mode. Click Next.

Screenshot of the Error and Usage Reporting dialog

If you want to participate in the error reporting or usage data program, put a checkbox on those. Click Next.

Screenshot of the Installation Rules dialog

Click Next.

Screenshot of the Ready to Install dialog

Click Install.

Screenshot of the Installation Progress dialog

Screenshot of the Installation Progress dialog

When the Setup Process has finished, click Next.

Screenshot of the Installation Completed dialgo

Finally, click Close.

If you plan to access your SQL Server from an external client, you will have to open some firewall ports.

11 thoughts to “Installing SQL Server 2008 on Windows Server 2008 R2”

  1. I have followed your instructions (twice). I am still running into a problem. SQL Agent will not start. I have followed these instructions on a Win Server 2008 box and they work. Where I am having a problem is with Win Server 2008R2. Is there something different about R2 that is preventing the Agent from running? How can I get around this?

  2. InsomniacGeek – Yes I did. We figured it out. It was in the Windows E. Log. I had not checked there. The SQL Service account did not have access to a specific dir: System32.
    Thank you.

  3. This was a fantastic tutorial, along with the other one on installing all of the prerequisites. I successfully installed an SQL Server.

  4. I cant believe that you did this long tutorial but didint even show where to find this on the win server 2008 r2 gui,. people make tutorials because they know some people dont know how to do it, you’re so stupid that you didint even show it from the start of the installation

  5. @Bob, thanks for the “compliment”. If you please can indulge me in what you mean by “find this…”.

    Find what?

    How to find you SQL Server installation DVD?

    If you could be so kind to elaborate on this I would be even more grateful.

  6. when I install sql server 2008 in server 2008 I receive warning message ( installing SQL Server 2008 on a domain controller is not recommended) plz help me on it

  7. Very helpful.
    One step confused me – “Use the same account for all SQL Server services”. In my copy of Windows 2008 R2, there was no existing user called DBService, so I had to go to the Admin tool and create that user.

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