MySQL Community Server: Free! Open Source! Downloadable!

MySQL Community Server: a free downloadable version of the world's most popular open source database supported by an active community of open source developers.

Step one: Download

Open your favorite web browser and navigate to: https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/.

Select your platform and click download on the first option (Windows(x86, 32 bit), MySQL Installer MSI). See Figure 3.1.

Figure 3.1 Browser displayed when you go to the link above

After clicking download scroll down until you see MySQL Installer 5.7.16, see Figure 3.2 for an example. You want to click download on the larger of the two file options, in this case it is the second option, click download. When your download is complete click on it to open up the MySQL Installer.

Figure 3.2 Downloading MySQL Installer

Step 2: Install MySQL Community Server

First agree to the License Agreement and click "Next" to proceed. When choosing a setup type select server only (Figure 3.3). Fill out all other required information that the installer asks for. You do not need to create a user, you will use the root user. All of the default options will suffice.

Note: When typing a password pick something you will remember. It is very important you do not forget this password as it is very difficult to reset.

Figure 3.3 Choose to install the server only

Step 3: Finish Installation

Once you see a message saying installation is complete, as seen in Figure 3.4 below, you may click finish to exit the installer.

Figure 3.4 Installation complete!