In this post, I describe one way to install SQL Server 2025 (using RC1) for on-premises testing. The major steps are:

1. Get the bits
2. Install SQL Server 2025 (RC)

Get the Bits

Navigate to the Microsoft Evaluation Center page for SQL Server 2025 (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/sql-server-2025-download) and click the link for the 64-bit edition (there is no 32-bit edition of SQL Server 2025):

Save the SQL Server 2025 RC1 evaluation executable when prompted:

Navigate to the saved file and open it to start the installer:

When the installer opens, click the “Download media” tile:

Choose which type of file to download, ISO or CAB. I chose ISO for this demonstration, but CAB works just as well.

If desired, select a target directory for the media download:

Select or create a target download directory and then click the “OK” button:

Click the “Download” button to download the SQL Server 2025 installation media:

When the “Download successful!” window displays, click the “Close” button to proceed:

Navigate to the directory you selected (or created) for the SQL Server 2025 media, right-click the ISO file, and then click Mount:

Once the ISO is mounted, right-click the “setup.exe” file and then click “Open” to start the installation:

Install SQL Server 2025 (RC)

When the SQL Server 2025 setup.exe application opens:

1. Click the Installation tab
2. Click “New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation”:

The “Global Rules” page may (or may not) display. If it displays, address any issues before clicking the “Next” button to continue:

When the “Microsoft Update” page displays:

1. Check the “Use Microsoft Update to check for updates (recommended)” checkbox
2. Click the “Next” button”

Since we downloaded the setup files earlier, the next page to display will likely be the “Install Rules” page (skipping the “Install Setup Files” page). I am installing to a virtual server for test purposes, so I ignore the “Windows Firewall” warning and click the “Next” button to proceed:

On the “Installation Type” page, make sure “Perform a new installation of SQL Server 2025” is selected and then click the “Next” button:

When the “Edition” page displays:

1. Specify a free edition. I choose “Enterprise Developer” for demonstration purposes.
2. Click the “Next” button:

When the “License Terms” page displays:

1. Check the “I accept the license terms and Privacy Statement” checkbox (you read the Privacy Statement, didn’t you?)
2. Click the “Next” button:

Since I am installing for on-premises testing only:

1. I uncheck the “Azure Extension for SQL Server” checkbox on the “Azure Extension for SQL Server” page
2. Click the “Next” button to proceed:

When the “Feature Selection” page displays:

1. I check the “Database Engine Services” checkbox.
   Note: This is not the first instance of SQL Server 2025 I’ve installed on this virtual server. During a previous installation, I installed the “Integration Services” shared feature.
2. Specify the “Instance root directory” location (or accept the default)
3. Click the “Next” button:

When the “Instance Configuration” page displays:

1. I selected “Named instance” and entered a name (“Test”) for my named instance. Note: I stopped installing default SQL Server instances a long time ago.
2. Click the “Next” button to continue:

I accept the defaults on the “Server Configuration” page and click the “Next” button:

When the “Database Engine Configuration” page displays:

1. I select “Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication)”. Choose this setting wisely. There are implications. I only install RC versions on virtual servers and I prefer Mixed Mode for RC installations.
2. When I select Mixed Mode, I need to complete the “Specify the password for the SQL Server system administrator (sa) account”. I supply a strong password for the sa account.
3. I click the “Add Current User” button to add myself to the “Specify SQL Server administrators” (Windows authentication) list:
4. Click the “Next” button:

Review the configuration displayed on the “Ready to Install” page. If all appears as desired, click the “Install” button:

When the “Complete” page displays, click the “Close” button to complete the SQL Server 2025 RC installation:

Conclusion

In this post, I shared one way to install SQL Server 2025 RC for testing on-premises functionality. testing release candidates of SQL Server is a great way to get a jump on migration-to-SQL-Server plans for future versions.

Upcoming Presentations

Stephen and I are co-presenting a PASS Data Community Summit precon titled “Data Engineering Fundamentals with Fabric Data Factory” 17 Nov 2025. We made a video to promote the precon. Enjoy!

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We offer consulting and training to level-up you and your enterprise Data Engineering team. How might we help you and your enterprise implement an awesome solution? Contact us today!