Install MySQL on Windows

MySQL is the world’s most popular open source database software, with over 100 million copies of its software downloaded or distributed throughout its history. With its superior speed, reliability, and ease of use, MySQL has become the preferred choice for Web, Web 2.0, SaaS, ISV, Telecom companies and forward-thinking corporate IT Managers because it eliminates the major problems associated with downtime, maintenance and administration for modern, online applications. MySQL runs on more than 20 platforms including Linux, Windows, Mac OS, Solaris, IBM AIX, giving you the kind of flexibility that puts you in control. In this article we are going to install MySQL on Windows platform.

Downloading MySQL Server for Windows

You can download MySQL for Windows from MySQL Download Page.

Install MySQL on Windows

• Execute the downloaded MSI Installer package as an Administrator by double clicking it, which will bring up window as shown below. Click “Next” button.

•  Select “I accept the terms in the License Agreement” check box and then click “Next” button.

• Choose the type of setup you would like to perform. If you want to modify the components to be installed and choose a custom path to install MySQL then click “Custom”, otherwise go with “Typical” or “Custom”.

•  Click “Install” button to install MySQL on your Windows machine.

•  Below is the snapshot of taken while MySQL installation was in progress.

• Once the installation Wizard completes below two window will tell you something about MySQL Enterprise subscription like the MySQL Enterprise Server, MySQL Enterprise Monitor Service and MySQL Production Support. Simply click “Next” button and move ahead.

• Once MySQL Server Setup wizard completes, it will ask whether you want to configure MySQL instance now. Select “Launch the MySQL Instance Configuration Wizard” and click “Finish” button.

MySQL Server Instance Configuration Wizard

• Once you click “Finish” button in previous step, MySQL Server Instance Configuration wizard will start. Click “Next” button.

• Select “Standard Configuration”, if the system doesn’t have existing MySQL instance. Click “Next” button.

• Install As Windows Service : Checking this option will install MySQL on Windows as service.
• Service Name : Specify name of the Service by which MySQL instance will be identified. In most cases leave it default. However you specify other custom name also.
• Launch the MySQL Server automatically : Selecting this option will ensure that whenever Windows starts the service will be started automatically.
• Include Bin Directory in Windows PATH : Checking this option will include Bin directory of MySQL installation in Windows PATH environment variable, so that you can execute MySQL executable files from anywhere without specifying complete path.
• Click “Next” button.

• Enter the password for root user. Keep the password as strong as possible because “root” is the super user who has ultimate privileges of MySQL server.
• Enable root access from remote machines: Checking this option will enable you to login with root credentials to this MySQL instance from remote machines. It is recommended to leave this option deselected to disallow access MySQL server using root credentials from remote machines.
• Create An Anonymous Account : Checking this option will create an anonymous account on this server. However it is strongly advised to leave this option unchecked.
• Click “Next” button.

• MySQL Server Instance Configuration wizard is ready to configure the MySQL on Windows. If you are sure with the setting done so far click “Execute” button to configure the MySQL instance on Windows.

• Click “Finish” button to complete the MySQL instance configuration wizard.

Start/Stop MySQL Service

It’s sometime required to Start/Stop the MySQL service on Windows in order to troubleshoot some database issues.

Using Services Window

• Go to Control Panel – Administrative Tools and then click on Services
• Locate “MySQL” or the name of MySQL service, right-click on it. Click “Stop” to stop the service if it’s already started otherwise click “Start” to start the service.

Using Command Prompt

• Start Command Prompt (cmd) as an Administrator
• Run “net stop my_sql_instance_name” command to stop the service. Here replace my_sql_instance_name with the instance name of MySQL running on your windows machine.

C:\Windows\system32>net stop mysql
 The MySQL service is stopping.
 The MySQL service was stopped successfully.

• Run “net start my_sql_instance_name” command to Start the service. Here replace my_sql_instance_name with the instance name of MySQL running on your windows machine.

C:\Windows\system32>net start mysql
 The MySQL service is starting.
 The MySQL service was started successfully.