SQL Server 2005 Installation Tip

Last week i had to format my hard drives and install a fresh copy of Windows. After installation i tried to install development tools. Installed Visual Studio first, then SQL Server 2005.  Visual Studio contains SQL 2005 Express Edition as an addon installation.

After installations, restarted my pc and saw that SQL Server Management Studio was not there in Start Menu. I said "What the hell?" first. Then made some google search and found useful information about SQL Server installation tips.

As a result; never install SQL Server 2005 Express before SQL Server 2005 installation. Otherwise you won't get access to SQL Server Management Studio.

If you already did an install of SQL Express 2005, try to uninstall, then install SQL Server 2005. You will be able to access SQL Server Management Studio and other important tools.