> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.devolutions.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.devolutions.net/server/getting-started/installation/database-setup/database-instance/on-premises-instances.md).

# On-premises instances

Install an on-premises Microsoft SQL Server instance, including the free SQL Server Express edition, to host the database for Devolutions Server.

Install any edition of Microsoft SQL Server. Many of our customers with fewer than 30 users run successfully with the free edition called SQL Server Express. [Download SQL Server 2019 Express from Microsoft's site](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads).

If full integration with Active Directory is required, you can decide to activate Windows Authentication solely. Please refer to the Microsoft [Authentication in SQL Server](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb669066\(v=vs.110\).aspx) for full details.


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