SQL Server 2016 and 2017: Hardware and software requirements

Applies to: SQL Server - Windows only

The article lists the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017 on the Windows operating system.

For hardware and software requirements for other versions of SQL Server, see:

Hardware requirements

The following hardware requirements apply to SQL Server 2016 and SQL Server 2017:

Component Requirement
Hard Disk SQL Server requires a minimum of 6 GB of available hard-disk space.

Disk space requirements vary with the SQL Server components you install. For more information, see Hard Disk Space Requirements later in this article. For information on supported storage types for data files, see Storage Types for Data Files.

Installing SQL Server on computers with the NTFS or ReFS file formats is recommended. The FAT32 file system is supported but not recommended as it is less secure than the NTFS or ReFS file systems.

Read-only, mapped, or compressed drives are blocked during installation.
Drive A DVD drive, as appropriate, is required for installation from disk.
Monitor SQL Server requires Super-VGA (800x600) or higher resolution monitor.
Internet Internet functionality requires Internet access (fees may apply).
Memory * Minimum:

Express Editions: 512 MB

All other editions: 1 GB

Recommended:

Express Editions: 1 GB

All other editions: At least 4 GB and should be increased as database size increases to ensure optimal performance.
Processor Speed Minimum: x64 Processor: 1.4 GHz

Recommended: 2.0 GHz or faster
Processor Type x64 Processor: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlon 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T support, Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support

Note

Installation of SQL Server is supported on x64 processors only. It is no longer supported on x86 processors.

* The minimum memory required for installing the Data Quality Server component in Data Quality Services (DQS) is 2 GB of RAM, which is different from the SQL Server minimum memory requirement. For information about installing DQS, see Install Data Quality Services.

Software requirements

The table in this section lists the minimum software requirements for running SQL Server. There are also recommended configuration options for optimal performance.

The following software requirements apply to all installations:

Component Requirement
.NET Framework SQL Server 2016 (13.x) and later require .NET Framework 4.6 for the Database Engine, Master Data Services, or Replication. SQL Server setup automatically installs .NET Framework. You can also manually install .NET Framework from Microsoft .NET Framework 4.6 (Web Installer) for Windows.

For more information, recommendations, and guidance about .NET Framework 4.6 see .NET Framework Deployment Guide for Developers.

Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 require KB2919355 before installing .NET Framework 4.6.

Note: Support for .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 ended on April 26, 2022.
  • SQL Server 2016 (13.x) and later require .NET Framework 4.6 for Database Engine, Master Data Services, or Replication (SQL Server setup automatically installs .NET Framework). You can upgrade to .NET 4.8 Framework or directly install .NET 4.8 Framework. All frameworks with major version 4 do an in-place upgrade, and they are backward compatible. For more information, check Download .NET Framework 4.8 | Free official downloads (microsoft.com).
  • SQL Server 2014 and SQL Server 2012 use .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, which is supported till 2029, so this retirement doesn't impact them.
Network Software Supported operating systems for SQL Server have built-in network software. Named and default instances of a stand-alone installation support the following network protocols: Shared memory, Named Pipes, TCP/IP, and VIA.

Note: VIA protocol is not supported on failover clusters. Clients or applications running on the same node of the failover cluster as the SQL Server instance, can use Shared Memory protocol to connect to SQL Server using its local pipe address. However this type of connection is not cluster-aware and fails after an instance failover. It is therefore not recommended and should only be used in specific scenarios.

Important: The VIA protocol is deprecated. This feature will be removed in a future version of SQL Server. Avoid using this feature in new development work, and plan to modify applications that currently use this feature.

For more information about Network Protocols and Network Libraries, see Network Protocols and Network Libraries.

SQL Server Setup installs the following software components required by the product:

  • SQL Server Native Client
  • SQL Server Setup support files

Important

There are additional hardware and software requirements for the PolyBase feature. For more information, see Get started with PolyBase.

Operating System support for SQL Server 2017

The following table shows which editions of SQL Server 2017 are compatible with which versions of Windows:

SQL Server edition: Enterprise Developer Standard Web Express
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2022 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2019 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2019 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Foundation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 11 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 11 Professional No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 11 Home No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 Professional No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 Home No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8.1 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8.1 Pro No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8.1 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8 Pro No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8 No Yes Yes No Yes

Server Core support for SQL Server 2017

The following editions of Windows server support installing SQL Server 2017 on Server Core mode:

Windows Server 2022 Standard

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter

Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure edition

Windows Server 2019 Standard

Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

Windows Server 2016 Standard

Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard

Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2012 Standard

Windows Server 2012 Datacenter

For more information on installing SQL Server on Server Core, see Install SQL Server on Server Core.

Note

Installing SQL Server on a Windows OS on which case sensitivity is enabled is not supported. For more information review SQL Server is not supported on a Windows operating system on which case sensitivity is enabled

Operating System support for SQL Server 2016

The following table shows which editions of SQL Server 2016 are compatible with which versions of Windows:

SQL Server edition: Enterprise Developer Standard Web Express
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter No No No No No
Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition No No No No No
Windows Server 2022 Standard No No No No No
Windows Server 2019 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2019 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2019 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2016 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 R2 Foundation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Datacenter Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Standard Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Essentials Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows Server 2012 Foundation Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise No No No No No
Windows 11 Enterprise No No No No No
Windows 11 Professional No No No No No
Windows 11 Home No No No No No
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 Professional No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 10 Home No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8.1 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8.1 Pro No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8.1 Enterprise No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8 Pro No Yes Yes No Yes
Windows 8 No Yes Yes No Yes

For minimum version requirements to install SQL Server on Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8, see Installing SQL Server on Windows Server 2012 or Windows 8.

Server Core support for SQL Server 2016

The following editions of Windows server support installing SQL Server 2016 on Server Core mode:

Windows Server 2019 Standard

Windows Server 2019 Datacenter

Windows Server 2016 Standard

Windows Server 2016 Datacenter

Windows Server 2012 R2 Standard

Windows Server 2012 R2 Datacenter

Windows Server 2012 Standard

Windows Server 2012 Datacenter

For more information on installing SQL Server on Server Core, see Install SQL Server on Server Core.

Note

Installing SQL Server on a Windows OS on which case sensitivity is enabled is not supported. For more information review SQL Server is not supported on a Windows operating system on which case sensitivity is enabled

WOW64 support

WOW64 (Windows 32-bit on Windows 64-bit) is a feature of 64-bit editions of Windows that enables 32-bit applications to run natively in 32-bit mode. Applications function in 32-bit mode, even though the underlying operating system is a 64-bit operating system. WOW64 is not supported for SQL Server installations. However, Management Tools are supported in WOW64.

Features supported on 32-bit client Operating Systems

Windows client operating systems, for example Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 are available as 32-bit or 64-bit architectures. All SQL Server features are supported on 64-bit client operating systems. On supported 32-bit client operating systems Microsoft supports the following features:

  • Data Quality Client
  • Client Tools Connectivity
  • Integration Services
  • Client Tools Backwards Compatibility
  • Client Tools SDK
  • Documentation Components
  • Distributed Replay Components
  • Distributed Replay Controller
  • Distributed Replay Client
  • SQL Client Connectivity SDK

Windows Server 2008 R2 and later server operating systems are not available as 32-bit architectures. All supported server operating systems are only available as 64-bit. All features are supported on 64-bit server operating systems.

Cross-Language support

For more information about cross-language support and considerations for installing SQL Server in localized languages, see Local Language Versions in SQL Server.

Disk space requirements

During installation of SQL Server, Windows Installer creates temporary files on the system drive. Before you run Setup to install or upgrade SQL Server, verify that you have at least 6.0 GB of available disk space on the system drive for these files. This requirement applies even if you install SQL Server components to a non-default drive.

Actual hard disk space requirements depend on your system configuration and the features that you decide to install. The following table provides disk space requirements for SQL Server components.

Feature Disk space requirement
Database Engine and data files, Replication, Full-Text Search, and Data Quality Services 1480 MB
Database Engine (as above) with R Services (In-Database) 2744 MB
Database Engine (as above) with PolyBase Query Service for External Data 4194 MB
Analysis Services and data files 698 MB
Reporting Services 967 MB
Microsoft R Server (Standalone) 280 MB
Reporting Services - SharePoint 1203 MB
Reporting Services Add-in for SharePoint Products 325 MB
Data Quality Client 121 MB
Client Tools Connectivity 328 MB
Integration Services 306 MB
Client Components (other than SQL Server Books Online components and Integration Services tools) 445 MB
Master Data Services 280 MB
SQL Server Books Online Components to view and manage help content* 27 MB
All Features 8030 MB

*The disk space requirement for downloaded Books Online content is 200 MB.

Storage Types for Data Files

The supported storage types for data files are:

  • Local Disk
    • SQL Server currently supports disk drives that have standard native sector sizes of 512 bytes and 4 KB. Hard disks with sector sizes larger than 4 KB may cause errors when attempting to store SQL Server data files on them. See Hard disk drive sector-size support boundaries in SQL Server for more information on hard disk sector-size support in SQL Server. For more information, see Troubleshoot errors related to system disk sector size greater than 4 KB.
    • SQL Server failover cluster installation supports Local Disk only for installing the tempdb files. Ensure that the path specified for the tempdb data and log files is valid on all the cluster nodes. During failover, if the tempdb directories are not available on the failover target node, the SQL Server resource fails to come online.
  • Shared Storage
  • Storage Spaces Direct (S2D)
  • SMB File Share
    • SMB storage is not supported for Analysis Services data files for either standalone or clustered installations. Use direct attached storage, a storage area network, or S2D instead.
    • SMB storage can be hosted by a Windows File Server or a third-party SMB storage device. If Windows File Server is used, the Windows File Server version should be 2008 or later. For more information about installing SQL Server using SMB file share as a storage option, see Install SQL Server with SMB Fileshare as a Storage Option.

Installing SQL Server on a Domain Controller

For security reasons, we recommend that you do not install SQL Server on a domain controller. SQL Server Setup doesn't block installation on a computer that is a domain controller, but the following limitations apply:

  • You cannot run SQL Server services on a domain controller under a local service account.

  • After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain member to a domain controller. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain controller.

  • After SQL Server is installed on a computer, you cannot change the computer from a domain controller to a domain member. You must uninstall SQL Server before you change the host computer to a domain member.

  • SQL Server failover cluster instances are not supported where cluster nodes are domain controllers.

  • SQL Server is not supported on a read-only domain controller. SQL Server Setup cannot create security groups or provision SQL Server service accounts on a read-only domain controller. In this scenario, Setup fails.

    Note

    This restriction also applies to installations on domain member nodes.

  • A SQL Server failover cluster instance is not supported in an environment where only a read-only domain controller is accessible.

    Note

    This restriction also applies to installations on domain member nodes.

Installation media

You can get relevant installation media from the following locations:

Alternatively, you can create an Azure virtual machine already running SQL Server.

Next steps

Once you've reviewed the hardware and software requirements for installing SQL Server, you can start to Plan a SQL Server Installation or review the Security considerations for SQL Server.