Installing SQL 2008 R2 Express with Management Tools on Windows Home Server 2011

15) Then click on the “Data Directories” tab, from there you will be given two choices. One, leave the directories on their default location with changing them or two select a directory letter to save room on your system partition, click “Next” when you have decided your course of action.

16) This next part is optional but as far as I am concerned the less Microsoft knows about you the better off you are, I would recommend leave the “Send Windows and SQL Server errors reports…” option unchecked, click Next when you have decided.

17) Now sit back, relax, and grab a frosty cold one while the main installation gets underway. This can take about 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

18) When the “Complete” page comes up and gives you the completed successfully, click “Close”.

19) Now go to “Windows Update” and click on “Check for Updates” (Insure the Microsoft Update option has been installed). If there are any additional SQL Updates, install the updates and reboot the server (Even if does not ask you to).

20) Once the server has finished rebooting, Login into your home server. Click on the “Start Menu” Icon, Click “All Programs”, locate the “Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2” folder, and click on “SQL Server Management Studio”.

21) When the “Connect to Server” box displays verify that the account credentials are correct and click on the connect button.

22) Right click on your Database instance in the right hand side box and then click “Properties”.

23) In the “Server Properties” box on the left hand side click on the “Memory” option. Then on the right hand side go to “Maximum server memory (in MB)” and type 512 and click Ok.

NOTE 3: As general rule SQL is designed to take any available physical memory by default which would eventually slow done the performance of your home server. 512 MBs should be more than enough for your home/small business network needs and can be adjusted if needed.

24) Exit out of “SQL Server Management Studio”, This concludes your installation of SQL Server 2008 R2 express with Management Tools.

Special Note:

This installation was tested in a Virtual environment of Windows Home Server 2011 Virtual Machine to verify technical accuracy; No production Home Servers were harmed in the making of this How To article.