How to add SQL Server 2008 Express to List of Prerequisites

Question

How can I add SQL Server 2008 Express to the list of Pre-requisites in Visual Studio 2008 SP1 MSI Installer Project.

Answer 1

The option of SQL Server 2008 Express is included in the prerequisete list

Answer 2

You have to download the SQL Server 2008 Bootstrapper from the MS Download Center (I think it is also included in the VS2008 Express Edition) and copy it into C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0A\Bootstrapper\Packages. Each folder under 'Packages' is an entry of the list of Pre-requisites in Visual Studio 2008 SP1 MSI Installer Project.

BTW - If you want to create a custom Bootstrapper have a look at the article Authoring a Custom Bootstrapper Package

Answer 3

In Visual Studio 2010 the option of SQL Server 2008 Express is included in the Prerequisites list.

Answer 4

1. Install any flavor of Visual Studio 2008 Express SP1.
2. Go into the bootstrapper directory (C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0A\Bootstrapper\Packages) and rename both the SqlExpress2008 and WindowsInstaller4_5 directories.
3. Uninstall Visual Studio 2008 Express SP1 (IF you don't want to keep it).

Copied and pasted from: Sql Server Express Blog

Answer 5

As far as I know, when Visual Studio 2008 was realesed, SQL Server 2008 doesn't exists yet, only the 2005 version. So I think that you might not install the SQL Server 2005 when installing Visual Studio 2008, and after that, install SQL Server 2008 separately.

Regards.