Installing MySQL on Windows 8

Install the venerable MySQL server on your local machine

Updated on April 9, 2020

Download the Right Installer

First, download the appropriate MySQL installer for your operating system. Whichever installer you use, save the file to your desktop or another location where you will be able to find it again. If you're using a Mac, you should instead read about Installing MySQL on Mac OS X.

MySQL Downloads

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Log on With an Administrator Account

Log on to Windows using an account with local administrator privileges. The installer will not function properly if you do not have these privileges. You won’t need them, later on, to access databases on your MySQL server, but the MSI makes some edits to system configuration settings that require elevated privileges.

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Launch the Installer File

Double-click on the installer file to launch it. If you receive any security warning messages, chose to continue the installation process. Once it finishes opening, you will see the MySQL Setup Wizard screen.

Click Install MySQL Products to move forward.

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Accept the EULA

Click the Next button to advance past the Welcome screen. You will then see the End User License Agreement. Click the checkbox acknowledging that you accept the terms of the license agreement and then click Next to advance past the EULA screen.

The next screen asks you to check for updates to the installer. Click the Execute button to complete this check.

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Choose an Installation Type

The MySQL Setup Wizard prompts for an installation type. Most people should select Full, which installs the complete set of MySQL database features. If you need to customize either the features that will be installed or the location where the installer will place files, select Custom. Alternatively, perform a server-only or client-only install by clicking the appropriate button.

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Begin the Installation

Click the Next button to advance to the Check Requirements screen. Depending upon the other software already installed on your system, this screen may guide you through the installation of software required before you start installing MySQL.

Click Install to begin the installation process. The installer shows an installation progress screen.

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Initial MySQL Configuration

When the MySQL Server Configuration screen appears, verify that the settings are appropriate for your environment. Choose the appropriate Config Type for your situation. If this is a machine that you are using as a developer, choose Development Machine. Otherwise, if this will be a production server, select Server Machine. Click Next.

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Choose a Root Password and Create User Accounts

The security screen prompts you to enter a root password for your database server. We recommend a strong password consisting of a mix of alphanumeric characters and symbols. Unless you have a specific reason for not doing so, you should also leave the options to allow remote root access and create an anonymous account unchecked. Either of those options can create security vulnerabilities on your database server.

On this screen, you may also create user accounts for your database server. If you wish, you may defer this until later. Click Next.

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Set Windows Options

The next screen sets two different Windows options for MySQL. First, to run as a Windows service. This option is a good idea, as it runs the program in the background. You can also choose to have the service automatically start whenever the operating system loads. Click Next.

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Complete the Instance Configuration

The final wizard screen presents a summary of the actions that will take place. After reviewing those actions, click the Execute button to configure your MySQL instance.

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