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Fix: Unable to Install SQL Server on Windows 11
SQL Server won’t install if you’re using sector size larger than 4KB
3 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
SQL Server is often used by developers as a relational database management system, and many of them reported that they are unable to install SQL Server on Windows 11.
Without the SQL Server running, their project won’t have a database it can use, so it’s crucial to fix this problem, and this guide will help you with that.
How do I download and install SQL Server on Windows 11?
1. Delete the affected registry key
This is a straightforward solution, and it can help if you can’t install SQL Server 2014.
2. Check the sector size of your drive
If the values are different, locate the one that has a higher value. If that value is higher than4096you need to make a few changes in the registry by doing the following:
If you don’t feel comfortable modifying the registry and changing the disk sector size, you can always install SQL Server on a different drive. Just check the drive withfsutil fsinfo sectorinfocommand and make sure its values aren’t higher than 4096.
3. Set the trace flag to 1800
By modifying startup parameters you’ll force the SQL Server to use 4 KB as the disk sector size for read and write processes.
Why is SQL Server not installing?
Microsoft is fully aware of this issue, and according to them, some newer storage devices will use higher block sizes than the supported 4-KB sector size used by SQL Server.
Hopefully, this issue will be resolved when Microsoft upgrades its software. Speaking of upgrades, we have a great guide on how toupgrade from SQL Server 2008, so be sure to check it out.
Upgrading will also prevent various compatibility issues such as theOperating system is not supported by SQL Server error.
Have you found a different way to fix this problem? If so, let us know in the comments below.
More about the topics:sql server,Windows 11 Fix
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
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Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
