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Installing Sample Databases in SQL Server
Installing Sample Databases in SQL Server
SQL Server 2005 doesn't include the classic Pubs and Northwind databases. You can,
however, download them from Microsoft. You'll get both binary database images (*.mdf and
*.ldf) as well as SQL scripts.
If you plan to use the binary database files (*.mdf and *ldf), first copy those files to the correct
default location for database files in a typical SQL Server 2005 installation:
This path varies somewhat depending how many instances of SQL Server you have on your
machine.
You can either install from the Management Studio GUI if you have SQL Server 2005 Standard
or Developer, or install from the command line if you have SQL Express. There is, however, a
downloadable add-on version of the Management Studio GUI specifically for SQL Express.