Installing Sample Databases

Note: By default Windows Server 2008 security is configured to prevent the download of these installers. Changing this security configuration is not recommended on production servers. Please see Windows Server documentation for information on how to change these settings.

To install all the sample databases for SQL Server 2008 perform the following steps:

1. Ensure all prerequisites are met. See Database Prerequisites for detailed prerequisite instructions. Note that database installation will not complete unless all prerequisites are met.
2. Using the object explorer in SSMS delete any earlier version of the AdventureWorks sample databases you may have installed.
3. Using the file explorer ensure all .MDF and .LDF files have been deleted from the data directory for all sample databases in the instance you will be installing the new sample databases. For the default instance, the path to the data directory for OLTP, LT, and DW sample databases is typically C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA.
4. Navigate to http://www.codeplex.com/MSFTDBProdSamples/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx and respond to all the dialogs presented by the installer as detailed below.

Click one of the Windows Installer (.msi) links in the highlighted area of the samples database download page based on the architecture of the machine which will be running the installer.



Click the Run button for the File Download - Security Warning dialog



Click the Run button for the Internet Explorer - Security Warning dialog



Click the Next button on the Welcome page of the installer.



Click the license agreement check box, then click the Next button.



Click the Next button of the Custom Setup dialog.



Use the pull down selector to choose the instance to install the sample database in. Be sure to read all the content in this dialog. Then press the Next button.



Click the Install button on the Ready to install dialog.



This dialog will appear to indicate installation progress. On Vista, a User Access Control dialog may appear asking for administrator permission. Be sure to grant permission in this dialog if it appears. When the installation is complete, click the Finish button.