Creating SQL Server Express LocalDb v11, v12, v13, and MSSQLLocalDb Instances

Written by Ken Dale

Here’s some copy-pastable commands for creating SQL Server Express LocalDb instances:

  • "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn\SqlLocalDB.exe" create "v11.0" 11.0 -s
  • "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn\SqlLocalDB.exe" create "v12.0" 12.0 -s
  • "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\SqlLocalDB.exe" create "v13.0" 13.0 -s

You may also want to create a MSSQLLocalDb instance:

  • "C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\130\Tools\Binn\SqlLocalDB.exe" create "MSSQLLocalDb" -s (omitting the version number defaults to the latest version)

Test it out

To test a LocalDb instance connect to (localdb)\v13.0 using SQL Server Management Studio or a similar tool, modifying as necessary to match the instance name.

Credit

Credit to http://www.khalidabuhakmeh.com/initializing-localdb-v12-0-even-after-installing-sql-express-2014 for the strategy.

Published February 08, 2017 by

undefined avatar
Ken Dale Senior Application Developer (Former)
LocalDb

Suggested Reading