Let’s name it sql2008express.iss with the following content If it is not installed, then it will install SQL Express 2008 R2.Ĭreate a new script. If it is already installed, it will skip the installation. If the full version is not installed, then it checks for the SQL Express edition. If full version is already installed, then it skips installing the SQL Server. The following script will check for the full version of SQL Server 2008 R2. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best, even if that means getting the user of my product to install SQL Express separately before running my install. This site shows you how to install Express from the command line, then you can use the SQL Express utility for object creation.

In situations like this where I’m relying on third-party products (SQL Server Express), I tend to use command-line driven installs (either directly in a cmd file or called from a ‘proper’ install tool).

Anyone have script or procedures to install SQL Server 2008 Express, set up the database for the app and finally install a client.