Sql-server – Can’t install Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 3 (RC3) on Windows Server 2008 R2

installationsql serversql-server-2016windows-server

I am attempting to install Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 3 (RC3) on Windows Server 2008 R2.

I have removed all other versions of SQL Server, and removed VS 2015 Community and all it's SQL Server components.

When I run setup from the SQLServer2016RC3-x64-ENU.iso, (downloaded from Microsoft, and successfully installed on Windows 10, with VS 2015 Community installed), I get a dialogue with the following message:

Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 3 (RC3) Setup:
Setup limited to Reporting Services for SharePoint
This server is running Windows Server 2008 R2. You can continue with setup to install or upgrade Reporting
Services functionality in SharePoint:
0 Reporting Services – SharePoint
0 Reporting Services Add-in for SharePoint Products

The server does not have SharePoint installed. Why is this happening, and how can I install Microsoft SQL Server 2016 Release Candidate 3 on this server?

Best Answer

I found the answer here:

Warning Setup Limited to Reporting Services for SharePoint by Alberto Morillo

Which, in short, says:

The only SQL Server 2016 features allowed to install on Windows Server 2008 R2 are Reporting Services (SharePoint) and Reporting Services Add-in for SharePoint products as mentioned on the "Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2016" article created for SQL Server 2016 Preview (CTP versions).

You won't be able to install the Database Engine or any other feature because they are not supported on Windows Server 2008 R2.

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