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MiltonNet
Level 4

How to detect SQL Express during installation process?

I want to install SQL Express after user select certain options from the GUI. Once its determine (based on user inputs) that SQL express is required, I want to detect if its installed. If not then it will proceed with SQL Express installation.
What is the best way to detect SQL Express.
Note: I am using InstallshieldMSI project. Installing SQL Express as prerequisite is not an option for us.

Thanks is advance
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(3) Replies
DLee65
Level 13

My first reaction is to use LaunchAppAndWait to execute the redistributable. You can package the redistributable in with your support files or leave it uncompressed on the Disk1 folder.

To determine if it is installed I would just look for the registry entry for it.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90
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MiltonNet
Level 4

Thanks for your answer. With LaunchAppandWait, SQLExpress installs with no problem. Thanks
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bigfix
Level 2

Actually, I've found that registry key to be unreliable for detecting SQL Server.

"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90"

That key is shared by SQL Server Native Client and other SQL components. The user could have one of the components installed and not the full SQL database, causing your setup to report falsely.

Can anyone recommend a more reliable key in the registry?
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