How to install localdb separately?

Question

If I have to work with localdb, do we need to install it separately?

I have SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Studio installed, SQL Server 2012 installed, .net 4.0.2 update installed. But I don't see localdb in the PC yet.

Answer 1

From MSDN

The primary method of installing LocalDB is by using the SqlLocalDB.msi program. LocalDB is an option when installing any SKU of SQL Server 2012 Express. Select LocalDB on the Feature Selection page during installation of SQL Server Express. There can be only one installation of the LocalDB binary files for each major SQL Server Database Engine version. Multiple Database Engine processes can be started and will all use the same binaries. An instance of the SQL Server Database Engine started as the LocalDB has the same limitations as SQL Server Express

Or you can download standalone SqlLocalDB.msi from the list of available downloads on the SQL Express downloading page

To locate localdb instance on your PC simply try to connect to (localdb)\Projects

Answer 2

If you downloaded SqlLocalDB.msi You can use silent install.

msiexec /i SqlLocalDB.msi /qn IACCEPTSQLLOCALDBLICENSETERMS=YES

Remember about administrative rights for installation !

Answer 3

Note for people who got SQL 2016. You do in fact need to choose "Express" during installation of SQL 2016 to choose "localDB" option. If you choose anything else (like Developer edition for example), "localDB" will not appear as option under "Shared features"

Developer Edition

SQL Express

Answer 4

Question is old but I think this is allways nice to know:

How to check if you have LocalDB installed, and if you do have it, which version it is:

1. Open Command Prompt
2. Enter "SqlLocalDB info" (without quotes)
3. Hit 'Enter' and your should see something like this,

which means you have version "MSSQLLocalDB" installed.

There are a couple of versions:

• v11.0
• v12.0
• v13.0 and
• MSSQLLocalDB