Direct Download Links for SQL Server 2008 Express

I find it a bit annoying that Microsoft are pushing the Web Platform installer so hard these days that they have removed all obvious direct download links for the various SQL Express packages on the “Express” site. Not everyone has the luxury of unmetered downloads – some of us want to archive these installers locally, and not use the Web Platform Installer every time.

To save you the bother, here is my reimagining of the table on the SQL Express downloads page:

Server 2008 Express	Management Tools	Runtime	Runtime with Management Tools	Runtime with Advanced Services
SQL Server Management Database Engine	-
SQL Server Management Studio Express		-
Full-Text Search	-	-	-
Reporting Services	-	-	-
Includes SP1	No	Yes	No	No
Download Size	38.5 168 MB	82.5 MB	230.4 MB	546.5 MB
Cost	FREE	FREE	FREE	FREE
Install

I am a bit confused how they came up with 38.5 MB for the SQL Management Studio download… if you check the direct download link you will see its 168 MB. This seems to tally up more closely with the combined “runtime with management tools” download of 230.4 MB. If they have managed to fit SSMSE into 38.5 MB then I am curious why I can’t find the direct download link - Leave a comment if you know the story behind that.

I have one more comment about SQL Express, but it’s so important I’ve decided to write it as separate blog post in the hope it makes it easier for people/google to find. The post is about whether the various SQL Express downloads include Service Pack 1.