Please login to access all of the features of the Community Site.

Topics› Supporting Rock› Hosting › Internal Hosting›

    Install SQL Server

    Rock keeps everything, from people and groups to giving and attendance, in a SQL Server database. In this article you'll install SQL Server on your Rock server with the settings Rock needs. Most screens keep their defaults.

    What you'll configure

    • SQL Server 2022 or later (these steps use SQL Server 2025). Check Rock Technical Requirements for the current minimum.
    • Database Engine Services only
    • Default instance (MSSQLSERVER)
    • Mixed Mode authentication, with you added as a SQL Server administrator
    • SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for the next article

    Note

    Which edition? - Use the edition your organization licenses. To try things out first, the free Standard Developer edition has the same features as Standard but is licensed for non-production use only.

    Run the SQL Server installer

    1. Download SQL Server from Microsoft and run the installer. When it asks for an installation type, choose Custom, keep the default media location and select Install. The SQL Server Installation Center opens when the download finishes.

    2. Select Installation, then New SQL Server standalone installation or add features to an existing installation.

    3. On Edition, enter your product key, or choose Specify a free edition and pick Standard Developer for a test server. Select Next.

    4. On License Terms, check I accept the license terms and select Next.

    5. On Microsoft Update, decide whether Windows Update should also update SQL Server, then select Next.

    6. On Install Rules, a Windows Firewall warning is expected. You'll open the SQL Server port in Configure SQL Server. Select Next.

    7. On Azure Extension for SQL Server, uncheck Azure Extension for SQL Server unless you manage servers through Azure Arc. Select Next.

    Choose features and instance

    8. On Feature Selection, check Database Engine Services only. Leave the directories at their defaults and select Next.

    9. On Instance Configuration, choose Default instance and select Next.

    Warning

    Use the default instance - Unless you're comfortable with SQL Server named instances, use the default instance. It keeps the Rock setup simpler.

    10. On Server Configuration, leave the defaults and select Next. SQL Server Agent starts as Manual for now; you'll set it to Automatic in Configure SQL Server.

    Set authentication and finish

    11. On Database Engine Configuration, choose Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication) and enter a strong password for the built-in sa account twice.

    12. Under Specify SQL Server administrators, select Add Current User, then select Next. This lets you sign in to SQL Server with your Windows account.

    Note

    Keep the sa password safe - You'll need it in the next article to create Rock's database login. Store it securely and share it only with people who truly need it.

    13. On Ready to Install, select Install. When Complete shows every feature as Succeeded, select Close.

    Install SQL Server Management Studio

    You'll use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to create Rock's database login.

    1. In the SQL Server Installation Center, select Installation, then Install SQL Server Management Tools. A download page opens in your browser.

    2. Download SQL Server Management Studio, run the installer and accept the defaults.

    SQL Server is installed. Next, configure SQL Server for Rock.

    Was this page helpful?
    Typo Incorrect Info Missing Info Outdated Image
    0/500