Enabling SQL Server Express to store desktop geodatabases

This topic applies to ArcGIS for Desktop Standard and ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced only.

The ArcSDE for Microsoft SQL Server Express installation wizard has two parts: one part installs SQL Server Express (see Installing SQL Server Express); the other part—which is described in this topic—designates that SQL Server Express instance to use as a database server, adds a server administrator to the database server, and enables the SQL Server Express instance to store geodatabases.

Steps:

1. On the Choose a SQL Server Instance and add a Windows login window of the installation wizard, use the SQL Server instance name drop-down list to choose the name of the SQL Server Express instance you want to use to store geodatabases; for example, MyServer\SQLExpress.

   Caution:

   Be sure to choose the correct instance! If you mistakenly choose, for example, a SQL Server Enterprise Edition instance, the instance will not be properly enabled, and you will not be able to create any geodatabases in SQL Server Express.

2. Type the login name of the user who will act as a server administrator on the SQL Server Express instance (the database server) you are enabling. The login name should be the domain or machine name followed by a backslash (\) and the user's name, for example, WORLD\David. This user will not have any additional permissions at the operating system level but will be able to perform all necessary administrative functions on the database server.
3. Click Next to proceed to the next dialog box.
4. Click Finish to close the wizard.

Your SQL Server Express instance is now enabled to store desktop geodatabases.