Pre-Installed
Microsoft SQL Server
Get Microsoft SQL Server pre-installed and ready to go from the Database Mart Marketplace—just deploy and use, no setup hassle.
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Overview
Microsoft SQL Server is a powerful, enterprise-grade relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Microsoft, designed to store, manage, and retrieve data efficiently for applications of all sizes—from small web apps to large-scale enterprise systems.
Select a pre-installed Microsoft SQL Server image and get a fully configured Windows server that's ready to use immediately—no manual installation, no complex setup, and no time-consuming configuration. Once deployed, you can connect using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or any SQL client of your choice to start creating databases, running queries, and managing your data right away. It's the fastest way to get a production-ready SQL Server environment without the usual deployment overhead.
Supported Operating Systems
The SQL Server Marketplace image is available on the following Windows Server operating systems:
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows Server 2025
Supported Products / Plans
The Microsoft SQL Server Marketplace image is currently available on the following server products:
| Product | Supported SQL Server Editions |
|---|---|
| Windows VPS (5 eligible plans) | SQL Server Express Edition only |
| Dedicated Servers(20 eligible plans) | SQL Server Express Edition and SQL Server Web Edition |
Note: Microsoft SQL Server is not available on servers using a Shared IP address. A dedicated IP address is required for SQL Server deployments.
View our compatible plans to compare available configurations.
SQL Server Edition Comparison
The Software Marketplace currently provides SQL Server Express Edition (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2025) and SQL Server Web Edition (2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022).
| Feature | SQL Server Express | SQL Server Web |
|---|---|---|
| License Cost | Free | Paid |
| Production Use | Small applications | Commercial web applications |
| Maximum Database Size | 10 GB per database (2012–2022) · 50 GB per database (2025) | 524 PB — effectively limited only by server storage |
| Maximum Memory Used by Database Engine | 1,410 MB buffer pool | 64 GB buffer pool |
| Maximum Compute Capacity | Lesser of 1 socket or 4 cores | Lesser of 4 sockets or 16 cores |
| SQL Server Agent | No | Yes |
| SQL Server Profiler | No (can be profiled remotely from a Standard/Enterprise instance) | No (can be profiled remotely from a Standard/Enterprise instance) |
| Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) | No | No |
| Backup & Restore | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypted Backup | No | No |
| Always On Availability Groups | No | No |
| Suitable For | Learning, development, testing, small websites | Production websites, SaaS applications, web hosting |
| Available Versions in Marketplace | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2025 | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 |
License
The Marketplace image installs Microsoft SQL Server according to the edition you select.
| SQL Server Edition | Supported Versions | License Fee |
|---|---|---|
| SQL Server Express | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2025 | Free |
| SQL Server Web Edition | 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022 | USD $29.00/month/4 CPU cores |
Microsoft licenses are required based on CPU cores. The first 4 cores require one license, and every additional 4-core block requires an additional license. For example, a 6-core server requires 2 licenses, and a 10-core server requires 3 licenses. Please verify Microsoft's licensing requirements before deploying production workloads.
If you're deciding which SQL Server Express version to deploy, compare the differences in SQL Server Express 2019 vs 2022 vs 2025 — Feature Comparison.
What's Installed
When you select the Microsoft SQL Server Marketplace image, Database Mart automatically installs and configures:
- Microsoft SQL Server
- SQL Server Database Engine
- Required SQL Server services
- Required Windows components and dependencies
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
The operating system is fully configured before SQL Server installation begins.
Installation Process
During server provisioning, Database Mart automatically performs the following steps:
- Deploy the selected Windows Server operating system.
- Install required Windows features and dependencies.
- Install Microsoft SQL Server.
- Configure the SQL Server services.
- Complete the initial SQL Server installation.
Once provisioning is complete, your server is ready for database creation and management.
Getting Started After Deployment
After your server has been provisioned, follow these steps to begin using Microsoft SQL Server.
Step 1. Connect to Your Windows Server
Log in to your server using Remote Desktop (RDP) with the Administrator credentials provided in the Customer Portal by following this guide: How to Connect to a Windows Server Remotely.
Step 2. Verify SQL Server Is Running
Open Services (services.msc) and confirm the following services are running.
Step 3. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
SSMS comes pre-installed on your server, so there's nothing to download.
Step 4. Connect to SQL Server
Launch SSMS and enter the Server Name, Authentication method, Username, and Password. Starting with SQL Server 2025, new installations enforce encrypted connections by default — if SSMS prompts you to trust the server certificate on first connect, this is expected on a fresh instance.
Step 5. Create Your First Database
In Object Explorer, right-click Databases > New Database, name it, and review the default file paths and initial size before creating it. From here, you can start building tables, running queries, or restoring an existing backup.
Step 6. Configure Security
Before deploying applications, we recommend:
- Creating dedicated SQL logins per application or user, instead of sharing one account
- Assigning least-privilege permissions through roles rather than direct grants — avoid sysadmin or db_owner unless truly required
- Disabling or renaming the sa account and setting a strong password if mixed-mode authentication is enabled
- Enabling Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to protect data at rest and in backups
- Scheduling regular, encrypted database backups and testing restores periodically
- Applying the latest Windows Server and SQL Server cumulative updates on a routine schedule
Notes
- Administrator access to the Windows server is provided.
- Additional databases, users, security settings, and backups should be configured according to your application requirements.
- SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) may need to be installed separately if required for remote administration.
- After deployment, we recommend configuring a regular backup strategy for your databases. See Backup a Database in SSMS for best practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is SQL Server ready to use after deployment?
A: Yes. SQL Server is installed and configured during provisioning. You can begin creating databases after connecting to the server.
Q: Can I install additional SQL Server features?
A: Yes. As the server administrator, you can install additional Microsoft components or configure SQL Server as needed.
Q: Does the Marketplace image include my databases?
A: No. The Marketplace image installs SQL Server only. You are responsible for creating or importing your own databases after deployment.
Q: Can I upgrade SQL Server later?
A: Yes. See Upgrade Your SQL Server Version before performing an in-place upgrade or migrating to a newer SQL Server release.
Q: Can I use SQL Server for production applications?
A: Yes. The Marketplace image is suitable for development, testing, and production environments, provided the server resources and licensing meet your workload requirements.
Q: How do I connect to SQL Server after deployment?
A: After your server is provisioned, you can connect using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). For detailed connection steps, see How to Connect a Database Using SSMS.