SQL Server 2005 Express SP-2

The final release of SQL Server 2005 Express SP-2 is now available for a free download. (Not be be confused with the earlier release under the same name back in November 2006. What's up with that?) The Books Online (BOL), SQL Server Management Studio Express and some other associated files, such as the SQL Server 2005 examples, have been updated to match the latest service pack of the various SQL Server 2005 Editions and the free SQL Server 2005 Express Edition.

If you have an earlier version installed (including CTF and community previews), use Microsoft's uninstall tool to uninstall it before installing SQL Server 2005 Express SP-2, because the components have to be uninstalled in a specific order. You'll go crazy trying to do it manually. But there's a readme file with the list of components that must be uninstalled (and in the order they must be uninstalled), just in case the uninstall tool fails.

The SQL Server 2005 Express Edition download is a compact 36.4 MB, while the SQL Server Management Studio Express is 43.1 MB, and the BOL is a hefty 135 MB.