SQL Server Developer Edition is free, full-featured, and perfect for learning.
- Go to 👉 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads
- Under SQL Server 2022 Developer, click Download now.
- Run the installer and choose Basic setup (quickest).
- When installation finishes, note the server name (usually
localhostorlocalhost\SQLEXPRESS). - You can install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) from the same page.