---
title: "Validate a SQL Server Installation"
description: The SQL Server discovery report can be used to verify the version of SQL Server and the SQL Server features installed on the computer.
author: rwestMSFT
ms.author: randolphwest
ms.date: 06/03/2025
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: install
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords:
  - "validating installations [SQL Server]"
monikerRange: ">=sql-server-2016"
---
# Validate a SQL Server installation

[!INCLUDE [SQL Server -Windows Only](../../includes/applies-to-version/sql-windows-only.md)]

The [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] discovery report can be used to verify the version of [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] and the [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] features installed on the computer. The **Installed SQL Server features discovery report** displays a report of all products and features installed on the local server, for [!INCLUDE [ssVersion2000](../../includes/ssversion2000-md.md)] and later versions. The [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] features discovery report is available on the **Tools** page on the [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Installation center.

## Run SQL Server features discovery report

Launch the [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Installation center, using the **Start** menu, point to **All Programs**, point to **Microsoft SQL Server \<Version Name>**, and select **SQL Server Installation Center**. To run the [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] features discovery report, select **Tools** in the left-hand navigation area of **SQL Server Installation Center**, and then select **Installed SQL Server features discovery report**.

The [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] discovery report is saved to `%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\<nnn>\Setup Bootstrap\Log\<last Setup Session>`.

You can also generate the discovery report through the command line. Run `Setup.exe /Action=RunDiscovery` from a command prompt. If you add `/q` to the command line, no UI will be shown, but the report is created in `%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft SQL Server\<nnn>\Setup Bootstrap\Log\<last Setup Session>`.

## Related content

- [View and read SQL Server Setup log files](view-and-read-sql-server-setup-log-files.md)