SQL Server Install Client tools only

  • Hi, in order to keep my legwork to a minimum I am trying to give a number of developers the ability to install SQL Server client tools by themselves from a share on a server. I don't want then to be able to install a complete sql server 2008 db server on their workstation. Is there any way of doing this? I know with SQL 2005 I was able to separately run the SQL client tools msi and install manually. I have tried the same with SQL 2008 and this does not work.

    Thanks in advance.

  • I would suggest downloading the SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Studio Express from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=56AD557C-03E6-4369-9C1D-E81B33D8026B&displaylang=en.

    This is basically the Client tools in a separate package. The only catch is that BIDS may be more limited than if they installed client tools from the full distribution DVD. But I can't think of any limitations right off.

  • The best option would be to try the command line install. It would allow you to specify what can be installed, down to specific features.

    Shawn Melton
    Twitter: @wsmelton
    Blog: wsmelton.github.com
    Github: wsmelton

  • Thanks MeltonDBA. This worked a treat:

    Setup.exe /q /Action=Install /Features=ADV_SSMS

  • Command line works best when possible.

    SSMS Express is missing certain features (replication monitor and some other enterprise-level stuff) but works for 99.9% of the things most devs need it for, which is just creating/viewing/testing/updating code. I've never once had someone come back to me after setting them up with SSMS express and tell me they needed a feature on the full version.

  • For those that need SSIS, is there a limit on Client Tools installs from a purchase of SQL 2012? This thread is the only thing of promise that came up when I tried researching.

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