Last updated on September 15, 2023
After building my new computer, I wanted to show you how I set it up for doing C# programming. So, I’m making videos of the different steps.
The first thing I install is SQL Server. In the past, there was a problem if you tried to install SQL Server after you installed Visual Studio. I don’t know if that is still a problem, but I’ve gotten into the habit of installing SQL Server first.
Here’s a video of me installing SQL Server 2014 Developer’s Edition in my new Windows 10 programming environment.
SQL Server 2014 installation tips
The installation is mostly simple; however, there are two things you need to watch out for.
First, you need to have version 3.5 of the .NET Framework installed, in order to run SQL Server. This is even if you have a more recent version. There is something that SQL Server requires that is specific to version 3.5.
You can install the .NET Framework 3.5 buy running the “Windows Features” program and checking the box for that framework. After that, it will be installed through Windows Update (the steps are in the video).
Second, you need to open a firewall port if you want your programs to be able to use SQL Server. Think of a firewall port as a phone number – it’s the pathway that one program uses to communicate with another. Windows Firewall normally “locks down” (stops communication) many ports – to protect you from viruses and potential malicious programs. But we need to open up SQL Server’s port, so your future programs can communicate with it.
How to get a free copy of SQL Server 2014
If you’d like to get a free, legal copy of SQL Server, and don’t want to pay $1200 for MSDN, you may qualify for a free MSDN subscription if you are a student, startup, or a solo entrepreneur.
For students, look at Microsoft’s DreamSpark program.
For small startups and solo entrepreneurs, look at Microsoft’s BizSpark program.
Next step
The next video will be installing Visual Studio 2015 in this Windows 10 development environment.