Install SQL server 2019 using GUI

To start the installation of Microsoft SQL Server 2019 on the server, we need to follow below steps:

Step 1: Download SQL Server 2019

To start the installation of SQL Server 2019, we need to download the installation media from the Microsoft website and consider the below points to avoid any confusion or issue:-

a) Should have confirmation on the Version and edition of the MS SQL server.

b) What are the features we need to install on the server like SSIS, SSRS, PolyBase, DQC, etc.

c) Service account should be available with a strong password & Password Never Expire feature. This account should have administrator privileges on the server.

d) Separate drives with a good amount of free space should be available on the server.

e) The server should meet hardware and software prerequisites.

f) Never store SQL binaries on the C drive.

Step 2: Run the SQL Server setup wizard

After downloading the installation media of SQL Server 2019, we need to locate the . ISO file. Right-click on the ISO file & select Mount to extract and mount the folder with a new drive. When we explore the folder, we'll get a setup.exe file that we need to use. Right-click on the setup.exe & select Run as Administrator.

Step 3: Specify the installation type

Now we need to specify whether we want to install a fresh new instance or we need to add new features to the existing instance or upgrade the existing SQL instance. 

If we are planning to install SQL Server on a newly built server, choose "New SQL Server stand-alone installation" or "add features to an existing installation". In case of upgrading an existing SQL instance, choose the appropriate upgrade option.

Step 4: Accept the license terms

Now in the next step, we need to accept the license terms & conditions for SQL Server 2019. Then click on the Next button to proceed further.

Step 5: Select the features to install

Now we need to select features as per our/organization's requirements like SSIS, SSRS, and SSAS.

The installer automatically installs the Database Engine Services as well as a few necessary components. We can add other features based on our requirements during the installation. After selecting all required features, just click on the Next button to proceed further.

Step 6: Specify the instance configuration

Now we need to specify instance configuration settings for our SQL Server like instance ID, instance name, and root directory of instance, etc. The system automatically assigns the instance name as "MSSQLSERVER" if we select Default Instance. In the case of a named instance, we need to provide a specific name for the instance like MSSQL01.

Step 7: Specify the server configuration

Now in this step, need to specify a few configuration settings for SQL Server like service account for SQL Server, service account for SQL Server Agent, and collation settings.

By default, it uses a built-in account that is a Network Service account which has limited privileges. You can choose to use a different account if you prefer.

By default, the collation for the SQL Server instance is SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS. The collation helps to determine how character data is sorted and compared in the system. We can change the collation as per the client's requirement. 

Step 8: Specify the database engine configuration

Now we need to specify configuration settings for our database engine like the administrator account, authentication mode, and database engine file locations.

In SQL Server, authentication mode determines how the users connect to the SQL instance. We can use "Windows Authentication", or "Mixed Mode Authentication".

Windows Authentication generally uses a series of encrypted messages to authenticate users in SQL Server and uses the credentials of the currently logged-in user.

Mixed Mode Authentication allows both Windows Authentication as well as SQL Server Authentication & generally we use this mode on the server.

In Mixed Mode Authentication, we can use an account and password to connect the server.

Here we can specify file locations for data and log files. If we miss this, the system automatically stores these files in the instance root directory. As per best practice, avoid storing data and log files in the instance root directory.

Step 9: Configure the Analysis Services (optional)

Step 10: Configure the Reporting Services (optional)

Step 11: Review the installation summary

Step 12: Wait for the installation to complete