Step by step installation SQL Server 2012 Express (The Cloud-Ready Information Platform).

SQL Server 2012 is on the go and there are many beneficial features are available now.

Most beneficial feature to use in SQL Server 2012 is Cloud ready platform. It means if you want to use SQL Azure through SSMS on your machine you need sql server 2012 on your machine first.

Another beneficial feature for me is to use SQL Azure Express with Advance features through which you can use most of the new features and reporting services as well.

All SQL Server service packs are cumulative, meaning that each new service pack contains all the fixes that are included with previous service packs and any new fixes.

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Builds

Build	File version	KB / Description	Date Updated	Availability
11.00.3000	2011.110.3000.0	SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1)	November 6, 2012	Downloadable
11.00.2100	2011.110.2100.60	SQL Server 2012 RTM	March 6, 2012	Downloadable (MSDN/TechNet subscribers only)

A complete list of updates available on this link
sql server builds

Lets see how can we install SQL Server 2012 Express with Images (Step by step).

Prerequisites

Start Planning Installation

Starting New Stand alone SQL Server setup

Check for updates

Installing setup files

Features selection

Services settings

Set security mode

SSRS configuration options

Distribution directories 

Installation summery

Installation successful. Ready to use

SQL SERVER 2012 "Denali" -- Hardware and Software Requirements

I have gathered this information from Microsoft and other blogs.

·         Microsoft recommends using NTFS file format instead of FAT32. FAT32 will work but you should probably not use it.

·         You can't install SQL Server 2012 (code-named Denali) on mapped drives or compressed drives.

·         You have to have the "no-reboot" package installed prior to installing SQL Server 2012 (code-named Denali). This is included in Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Otherwise, you can download the no-reboot package from Microsoft.

·         SQL Server 2012 (code-named Denali) requires the .NET Framework 4.0.

·         Virtualization is supported using Microsoft's Hyper-V technology.

·         You will need at least 3.6 GB of free disk space.

·         Microsoft recommends that you do not install SQL Server 2012 (code-named Denali) on a domain controller.

·         Recommended Processors & RAM

·         64-bit version: AMD Opteron, AMD Athlin 64, Intel Xeon with Intel EM64T Support or Intel Pentium IV with EM64T support running 2.0 GHz or faster. Recommended RAM is maximum that operating system supports or at least 2 GB.

·         32-bit version: Pentium III or compatible running at 2.0 GHz of faster. Recommended RAM is maximum that operating system supports or at least 2 GB.

·         Windows PowerShell 2.0 is a pre-requisite for installing SQL Server 2012 (code-named Denali). You can get this software from the Windows Management Framework page.

·         Check out the step by step installation guide with screenshots to get a preview of the SQL Server 2012 install and configuration process.