Can I deploy SQL Server Express with my desktop application just like builtin database?

Question

Can I deploy SQL Server Express with my desktop application just like builtin database? Because I don't want my client to set up separately SQL Server Express! Is it easy to integrate SQL Server Express into my desktop application ?

Answer 1

From the FAQ:

Can I redistribute SQL Express?

SQL Server Express will be free to use and redistribute. The only requirement that we have is that you register to redistribute the product. The reason we require registration for redistribution is that we want to ensure that we can get critical security/product information to ISVs/partners if necessary.

-Euan Garden
Product Unit Manager
SQL Server Tools

Take a look on how to do it:

How to deploy SQL Server 2008 Express as a prerequisite with ClickOnce

ClickOnce Deployment: Customizing SQL Server Express

How To Install Sql Server Express In Package Deployment With Different Instance Name

Answer 2

As said by MS: "To obtain rights to redistribute SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, you must register with Microsoft. " The link is: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/express-redistribute.aspx

Hope this will help.

By the way, you may be interested in MS SQL Server Compact : http://www.microsoft.com/Sqlserver/2005/en/us/compact.aspx It's embedded dbms. It's free but also need a distribution rights registration: http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/compact-redistribute.aspx