--- title: "SQL Server 2025: Hardware and Software Requirements" description: A list of hardware, software, and operating system requirements for installing and running SQL Server 2025. author: MikeRayMSFT ms.author: mikeray ms.reviewer: randolphwest, jopilov, rdorr ms.date: 02/26/2026 ms.service: sql ms.subservice: release-landing ms.topic: checklist ms.custom: - ignite-2025 helpviewer_keywords: - "Setup [SQL Server], software" - "software [SQL Server]" - "installing SQL Server, software" - "operating systems [SQL Server], SQL Server requirements" - "Setup [SQL Server], cross-language support" - "operating systems [SQL Server], cross-language support" - "network connections [SQL Server], requirements" - "disk space [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "drive space [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "WOW [SQL Server]" - "Setup [SQL Server], hardware" - "dependencies [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "cluster hardware requirements [SQL Server]" - "endpoints [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "Internet [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "hardware [SQL Server]" - "Windows on Windows [SQL Server]" - "installing SQL Server, hardware" - "Setup Configuration Checker" - "SCC [SQL Server]" - "operating systems [SQL Server]" - "space [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "system configuration checker" - "installing SQL Server, cross-language support" - "Internet [SQL Server]" - "space [SQL Server]" - "extended system support [SQL Server]" - "64-bit edition [SQL Server]" - "failover clustering [SQL Server]" - "failover clustering [SQL Server], hardware requirements" - "32-bit edition [SQL Server]" - "locales [SQL Server], SQL Server installations" - "cross-language support" - "disk space [SQL Server]" - "drive space [SQL Server]" - "localized SQL Server versions" --- # Hardware and software requirements for SQL Server 2025 [!INCLUDE [SQL Server -Windows Only](../../includes/applies-to-version/sql-windows-only.md)] This article lists the minimum hardware and software requirements to install and run [!INCLUDE [sssql25-md](../../includes/sssql25-md.md)] on the Windows operating system. For hardware and software requirements for other versions of [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], see: - [SQL Server 2022](hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-2022.md) - [SQL Server 2019](hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-2019.md) - [SQL Server 2016 and 2017](hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server.md) - [SQL Server on Linux](../../linux/sql-server-linux-setup.md#system-requirements) ## Hardware requirements The following memory and processor requirements apply to all editions of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)]: | Component | Requirement | | --- | --- | | **Storage** | [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] requires a minimum of 6 GB of available hard drive space.

Drive space requirements vary with the [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] components you install. For more information, see [Drive space requirements](#drive-space-requirements) later in this article. For information on supported storage types for data files, see [Storage types for data files](#storage-types-for-data-files). | | **Monitor** | [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] requires Super-VGA (800x600) or higher resolution monitor. | | **Internet** | Internet functionality requires Internet access (fees can apply). | | **Memory** | | | Minimum memory | - Express editions: 512 MB

- All other editions: 1 GB | | Recommended memory | - Express editions: 1 GB

- All other editions: At least 4 GB, and should be increased as database size increases to ensure optimal performance. | | **Processor** | | | Processor type | x64 processor. All Intel and AMD x86-64 CPUs with [up to 64 cores per NUMA node](../compute-capacity-limits-by-edition-of-sql-server.md#numa-64). | | Minimum speed | 1.4 GHz | | Recommended speed | 2.0 GHz or faster | > [!NOTE] > Installation of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] is supported on x64 processors only. ## Software requirements The following requirements apply to all installations: | Component | Requirement | | --- | --- | | Operating system | - Windows 10 or greater
- Windows Server 2019 or greater | | .NET Framework | [!INCLUDE [sssql25-md](../../includes/sssql25-md.md)] requires .NET Framework 4.7.2. | | Network software | Supported operating systems for [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] have built-in network software. Named and default instances of a stand-alone installation support the following network protocols: Shared memory, Named Pipes, and TCP/IP. | [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Setup installs the following software components required by the product: - Microsoft ODBC Driver 17 and 18 for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] - Microsoft OLE DB Driver 18 and 19 for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] - [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Setup support files > [!IMPORTANT] > The PolyBase feature has additional hardware and software requirements. For more information, see [Data virtualization with PolyBase in SQL Server](../../relational-databases/polybase/overview.md). ## Operating system support The following table shows which editions of [!INCLUDE [sssql25-md](../../includes/sssql25-md.md)] are compatible with which versions of Windows. You can also use the support lifecycle information to see if your version of Windows is supported. | [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] edition: | Enterprise 1 | Standard 1 | Express | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | **Windows Server 2025** ([Support lifecycle](/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2025)) | | | | | Windows Server 2025 Datacenter | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2025 Datacenter: Azure Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2025 Standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2025 Essentials | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **Windows Server 2022** ([Support lifecycle](/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022)) | | | | | Windows Server 2022 Datacenter | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2022 Standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2022 Essentials | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **Windows Server 2019** ([Support lifecycle](/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2019)) | | | | | Windows Server 2019 Datacenter | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2019 Standard | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Windows Server 2019 Essentials | Yes | Yes | Yes | | **Windows 11** ([Support lifecycle](/lifecycle/products/windows-11-home-and-pro)) | | | | | Windows 11 IoT Enterprise | No | Yes | Yes | | Windows 11 Enterprise | No | Yes | Yes | | Windows 11 Professional | No | Yes | Yes | | Windows 11 Home | No | Yes | Yes | | **Windows 10** ([Support lifecycle](/lifecycle/products/windows-10-home-and-pro)) | | | | | Windows 10 IoT Enterprise | No | Yes | Yes | | Windows 10 Enterprise | No | Yes | Yes | | Windows 10 Professional | No | Yes | Yes | | Windows 10 Home | No | Yes | Yes | 1 [!INCLUDE [sssql25-md](../../includes/sssql25-md.md)] introduces separate Enterprise Developer and Standard Developer editions of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)]. ### Server Core support The following editions of Windows Server Core support installing [!INCLUDE [sssql25-md](../../includes/sssql25-md.md)]: - Windows Server 2025 Core - Windows Server 2022 Core - Windows Server 2019 Core For more information about installing [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] on Server Core, see [Install SQL Server on Server Core](../../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-on-server-core.md). ## Cross-language support For more information about cross-language support and considerations for installing [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] in localized languages, see [Local language versions in SQL Server](local-language-versions-in-sql-server.md). ## Drive space requirements During installation of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], Windows Installer creates temporary files on the system drive. Before you run Setup to install or upgrade [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], verify that you have at least 6 GB of available drive space on the system drive for these files. This requirement applies even if you install [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] components to a non-default drive. Actual hard drive space requirements depend on your system configuration and the features that you decide to install. The following table provides drive space requirements for [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] components. | Feature | Drive space requirement | | --- | ---: | | [!INCLUDE [ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] and data files, Replication, Full-Text Search | 1,480 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] (as preceding row) with R Services (In-Database) | 2,744 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)] (as preceding row) with PolyBase Query Service for External Data | 4,194 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssASnoversion](../../includes/ssasnoversion-md.md)] and data files | 698 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssRSnoversion](../../includes/ssrsnoversion-md.md)] | 967 MB | | [!INCLUDE [rsql_platform](../../includes/rsql-platform-md.md)] (Standalone) | 280 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssRSnoversion](../../includes/ssrsnoversion-md.md)] - SharePoint | 1,203 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssRSnoversion](../../includes/ssrsnoversion-md.md)] Add-in for SharePoint Products | 325 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssDQSClient](../../includes/ssdqsclient-md.md)] | 121 MB | | Client Tools Connectivity | 328 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssISnoversion](../../includes/ssisnoversion-md.md)] | 306 MB | | Client Components (other than [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Books Online components and Integration Services tools) | 445 MB | | [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Books Online Components to view and manage help content 1 | 27 MB | | All features | 8,030 MB | 1 The drive 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** - [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] currently supports disk drives that have standard native sector sizes of 512 bytes and 4 KB. For more information about support for larger sector sizes and manufacturer implementations, see the section "4-KB disk sector sizes" in the white paper *SQLIOBasicsCh2.doc*. You can download the whitepaper from the [Download](/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2005/administrator/cc917726(v=technet.10)#download) section of the [SQL Server I/O Basics, Chapter 2](/previous-versions/sql/sql-server-2005/administrator/cc917726(v=technet.10)) article. If you use advanced format disks that are physically formatted with 4,096 bytes, but expose a logical sector size of 512 bytes, you can read more about the behavior and recommendations in the Tech Community article [SQL Server - New drives use 4K sector size](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/sqlserversupport/sql-server---new-drives-use-4k-sector-size/316277). Hard drives with sector sizes larger than 4 KB might cause errors when you attempt to store [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] data files on them. For more information on hard drive sector-size support in [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], see [Troubleshoot SQL Server errors related to system disk sector size greater than 4 KB](/troubleshoot/sql/database-engine/database-file-operations/troubleshoot-os-4kb-disk-sector-size). Currently, the `ForcedPhysicalSectorSizeInBytes` registry key is required to successfully install SQL Server on some newer storage devices with system disk sector size greater than 4 KB. - [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] 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 aren't available on the failover target node, the [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] resource fails to come online. - **Shared storage** - **[Storage Spaces Direct (S2D)](/windows-server/storage/storage-spaces/storage-spaces-direct-overview)** - **SMB file share** - SMB storage isn't supported for [!INCLUDE [ssASnoversion](../../includes/ssasnoversion-md.md)] 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 you use Windows File Server, the version should be 2008 or later. For more information about installing [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] using SMB file share as a storage option, see [Install SQL Server with SMB fileshare storage](../../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-with-smb-fileshare-as-a-storage-option.md). ## Install SQL Server on a domain controller For security reasons, don't install [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] on a domain controller. [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Setup doesn't block installation on a computer that is a domain controller, but the following limitations apply: - You can't run [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] services on a domain controller under a local service account. - After you install [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] on a computer, you can't change the computer from a domain member to a domain controller. You must uninstall [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] before you change the host computer to a domain controller. - After you install [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] on a computer, you can't change the computer from a domain controller to a domain member. You must uninstall [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] before you change the host computer to a domain member. - [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] failover cluster instances aren't supported where cluster nodes are domain controllers. - [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] isn't supported on a read-only domain controller. [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Setup can't create security groups or [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] service accounts on a read-only domain controller. In this scenario, Setup fails. - A [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] failover cluster instance isn't supported in an environment where only a read-only domain controller is accessible. ## Installation media Get relevant installation media from the following locations: - [SQL Server 2025 evaluation center](https://www.microsoft.com/evalcenter/evaluate-sql-server-2025) - [Most recent cumulative updates](/troubleshoot/sql/releases/download-and-install-latest-updates?bc=%2fsql%2fbreadcrumb%2ftoc.json&toc=%2fsql%2ftoc.json) Alternatively, you can deploy [SQL Server on an Azure virtual machine in the Azure portal](/azure/azure-sql/virtual-machines/windows/sql-vm-create-portal-quickstart). Because of the overhead of virtualization, virtual machines can be slower than running natively. ## Related content - [Plan a SQL Server installation](planning-a-sql-server-installation.md) - [Security considerations for a SQL Server installation](security-considerations-for-a-sql-server-installation.md)