Just a few minutes ago SQL Server 2016 is released. You can download SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition for FREE. There are many different versions of SQL Server 2016 and they are all available for download for everyone who has a valid MSDN subscription.
SQL Server 2016 has many new features. I have been exploring many of the features in the Release Candidates and I have blogged before. I will be blogging about SQL Server 2016 in future blog posts. Here is the list of top 10 features which I have liked so far and I will start my focus from these features.
| Always Encrypted | Query Store |
| Row Level Security | R Built-in T-SQL |
| Temporal Table | Stretch Database |
| Dynamic Data Masking | PolyBase |
| Multiple TempDB Database Files | JSON Support |
Additionally, there are many improvements in the In-Memory OLTP which I will be looking forward to exploring and implement at my customer.
Download SQL SERVER 2016 Developer Version for FREE
Earlier Microsoft has announced that SQL Server 2016 Developer version is available to download for FREE. You will have to sign in to Visual Studio Dev Essentials before you can download SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition. Remember that Visual Studio Dev Essential is a FREE developer program.
Click to Download SQL Server 2016 Developer Edition for FREE
(You will have to either log in via your Microsoft account – Hotmail, outlook or create a new one)
Click Here to Read How to Install SQL Server Management Studio 2016
If you have an MSDN subscription you can download SQL Server 2016 from here.
In other news, AdventureWorks sample database is retired now and Microsoft has released a new sample database WideWorldImporters.
Click to See all the artifacts related to WideWorldImporters
I will write future blog posts about how to use this sample database with SQL Server 2016.
Pro Tip: Bookmark this blog post for future reference. I will keep it updated with the latest information.
Here is a 2-minute short video which explains how to install SQL Server 2016.
Reference:Â Pinal Dave (https://blog.sqlauthority.com)
63 Comments. Leave new
Adventure works is dead, long live adventure works. It’s will be just like northwind and pubs, we will still see it in examples for years to come.
you are right my friend!
I totally agree. Personally I am going to miss AdventureWorks.
the link to download the SQL Server 2016 points to the SQL Server 2014 Developer Edition which is free.
You have to click on Download and Select Servers – you will see SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2014 both.
went straight to 2016 for me. Thanks for post. v useful.
Please note that after download there is no need of any key. It just works
That is correct. No need of key.
Pinal
I installed SQL Server 2016 on a Windows Server 2012 VM. After installation I am not able to find SQL Server Database tools (management studio). I installed the Developer version…any thoughts
Nithin
I have previously blogged about it as this is available separately ad well. Soon I will update the blog with link to that blog post.
I tried to download boss, I found no subscriptions found error.
Please advice, Thanks
You have to sign up for a free subscription as described in the blog post.
It’s free or paid Sir ? If free can you share the link for that.
It is FREE and the process to obtain link is listed in the blog post.
Can i know the process for installing the SQL Server 2016 on Linux..Is it madetory for configure TempDB files on Linux?
Soon I will write detailed blog post about it.
Hi , when upgrading from SQL Server 2005 to a newer version, would you need to upgrade in increments or is it safe to upgrade directly to SQL Server 2014/16 versions?
From 2005 to 2012 you can upgrade directly. However I will have to research from which minimum version one can upgrade to 2016.
thank you.
You are welcome!
I signed up for the free subscription but I am getting a 503 Forbidden error when I try to download it.
Would you please send me screenshot at my email address (you can find that on the contact us page) and let me see what I can do. As I tried just a few minutes ago and it works fine.
Hello, but how to “author” a tabular model? Is there a free developer edition of visual studio? or is the community version enough? this is kind of new to me, sorry.
Hi Pinal, the link to download is not working. did they change link?
The link works just fine. You MUST follow the instructions in the blog post.
I am getting error ”
Download Results
Sorry, we couldn’t find any downloads for you.
To continue, please join Visual Studio Dev Essentials or purchase a Visual Studio Subscription.”
Can you upload somewhere and share the link pls
I will send email screen shot
Thanks,
Pankaj
Hi Pankaj,
I personally can’t host SQL Server 2016 Developer host that would be a copyright violation. You must join Visual Studio Dev Essentials to download it for free as described in the blog post.
Is there a version of SQL 2016 I can install on Windows 7 Enterprise? I’m looking to play around with the basic SSMS and SSRS.
You should be able to follow the blog post and install developer version on your computer.
Thanks Pinal. I tried with the Developer Version i downloaded from . No luck. My OS is Win 7 SP1.Guess will have to wait for upgradation to Win 10 later this year.
Yes, it seems to be true.
Cheers Pinal! I thought the Developer edition was $50. I suppose it’s free now? Anyway, thanks! :D
Yeah it is absolutely FREE. Follow the instructions in the email.
I trying to download this message showing “Download Results
Sorry, we couldn’t find any downloads for you.
To continue, please join Visual Studio Dev Essentials or purchase a Visual Studio Subscription.”
please help me to download this.
Just follow the direction in the blog..
Hi Pinal
please share the link for free subscription
The link is there in the blog post. Please read the entire blog post.
Dear Pinal,
Is there any way to download SQL Dev with resume capability?
I tried the SQL Installer presented at download page but it always starts downloading from scratch.
Thanks for your help.
Let me search about this and I will get back to you.
I have updated this blog post with video about how to install SQL Server 2016
Installed SQL Server Dev Edition successfully but SSMS is missing. Is it a separate installation?