How to Install MySQL on Windows: Step-by-Step Guide

MySQL is a free relational database management system developed by Oracle. Due to its availability, simplicity, and multifunctionality, MySQL is the world's most popular database. It is open-source software, and its many features are created both by software developers and users.

This guide will show how to install MySQL on Windows and perform its basic configuration. We will cover the installation on Windows 10.

Installing MySQL on Windows

To install MySQL on Windows 10, you will need a computer with the operating system installed. 

Downloading the distribution kit

First, you need to install the distribution kit from the MySQL official website. There are two download options:

1. The first option is to download the bootable file mysql-installer-web-community.msi. It will automatically install all the necessary components. To use this installation method, you must have an Internet connection.  

2. The second option is to download the bootable file mysql-installer-community.msi. It will allow you to install all components even if the server is not connected to the Internet.

In this guide, we will use the second option.

Once you select the option, the service will prompt you to register an Oracle web account or log in with your existing data. You can skip this step. To do this, click the link as shown in the picture below.

Installing MySQL

After successfully downloading the file, you will need to run it. Next, the installation program should open.

You will see several installation options. Among them: 

• Developer Default is the default option. It implies installation of all the necessary components for the developer.

• Server only will only install the DBMS server.

• Client only will only install the DBMS client part.

• Full is for installing all the components of the downloaded distribution kit.

• Custom allows you to select the components you want to install.

Unless you know exactly what you need, choose the full installation ("Full"). This will be the best option for novice users. After selecting it, click the "Next" button.

Now, you'll be prompted to install the components required for DBMS extensions operation. If they have the Manual status, they will not interfere in any way with the program's stable task execution. You can select the necessary components from the list, then press the "Execute" button and install them, or skip this step and press the "Next" button. If you choose the second option, the system will inform you that some components are missing. Press "Yes" to confirm your choice.

The next step is to install all DBMS components sequentially. To do so, click the "Execute" button.

Once all files have been successfully uploaded, a green check mark will appear to the left of each component, and the status will change to "Complete". Click "Next".

Next, the installation program will offer to configure some components. Click "Next" and proceed to the configuration.

Setting up MySQL Server configuration

We have already installed MySQL Server and need to customize its configuration. All the necessary default settings will already be set in the window that opens, so click "Next".

After that, you will need to choose the type of authentication. Let's leave the recommended one and proceed to the next step.

In the next window, set the root password. In addition, at this stage, you can add other users. To do this, click the "Add User" button and fill in the required fields:

• User Name

• Host, which is the host from which the user will be authorized.

• Role, which is the user's role for working with the database

• Password

• Confirm Password

Click "OK". It will create the user and set the password for the root user. Click "Next".

The installer will offer to run MySQL Server as a Windows service. If you uncheck this option, you'll have to launch it from the command line. 

You can either leave the suggested name of the Windows service or change it to a different one.

The next checkbox is responsible for launching the service and the server at the same time. 

In the Run Windows Service block select the account that will run the service. We will not make any changes here and choose the option offered by the installer. 

Let's move on to the next step.

You need to apply the updated configuration parameters. To do this, press the "Execute" button.

As soon as all green ticks next to the items are checked, click "Finish".

We have completed the MySQL Server configuration. Click the "Next" button.

Setting up MySQL Router configuration

Here, we won't make any changes and just click "Finish". All the recommended settings are necessary to distribute the load between MySQL programs in the cluster.

The configuration is complete. Proceed to the Samples and Examples configuration.

Setting up the Samples and Examples configuration

On the screen that opens, fill in the previously defined login and password for the root user and click the "Check" button to test the connection.

As you can see from the picture, the connection has been successfully established. Click "Next".

Apply all the parameters using the "Execute" button. The system will begin installing the components of the Samples and Examples to the server.

Once the installation is complete, click "Finish".

We have finished the MySQL installation. Let's launch MySQL Workbench by checking the corresponding checkbox and clicking "Finish".

Checking MySQL functionality

After the download is complete, the MySQL Workbench installed on Windows 10 will open. The start window of the program contains one connection from the root user. Click on it and enter the password set earlier.

The program will connect to the server, and you will see the working area of the MySQL Workbench environment.

Open the "Schemas" tab on the left side of the workspace and expand the list of tables in the sakila schema. The test data that we set up earlier will be presented here.

Let's make the first SELECT query, which will present all the data from the actor table. It will look like this:

SELECT *FROM sakila.actor

The result of the query is shown in the picture below.

Conclusion

This guide described how to install MySQL on Windows 10 step by step. We have also set up the MySQL Server, MySQL Routers, and Samples and Examples configurations. This will be enough for working with small projects in MySQL.