Microsoft SQL Server Express: this version of the installer is no longer supported

Question

I'm trying to install Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express but I keep running into the above error message.

I was originally running into a separate error message when trying to install that said

A required file could not be downloaded

I followed the instructions on the following thread, which solved the original issue, but now I have a new error: A required file could not be downloaded while installing SQL Server 2019 Developer

There doesn't seem to be much info about this online, only thread I've found is brand new and I'll be monitoring it for a solution: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/816770/sql-express-2019-the-version-of-the-installer-is-n.html

I have already tried restarting my computer.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Theresiatheresina

The web installers are currently broken, and Microsoft is aware of the issue - some conflict between a recent Windows update and a secure file. There is a cumbersome workaround involving PowerShell but much simpler to just direct download this ISO and bypass the web stuff altogether - it's labeled Developer Edition but you should be able to choose Express as the edition. – Gulp

Some other threads that may or may not be helpful: one two – Gulp

If you're trying the registry hacks from Aaron's one and two links please note that the Registry paths are incorrect, i.e.: ...\Microsoft.NetFramework\... is missing a backslash and should be ...\Microsoft\.NetFramework\... – Bristle

Thanks for your reply AlwaysLearning! By entering the incorrect commands, is there something I should now reverse or did nothing happen when i entered the commands? Thanks! – Theresiatheresina

Thanks Aaron, I'm trying the ISO now and hopefully it works. Do you have a source that states the web browsers are currently broken? I want to post it as an answer and close this thread. – Theresiatheresina

Maybe this thread will help but I'm not sure there's been an official response from Microsoft yet: techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/sql-server/… – Gulp

Using the incorrect paths won't break anything, it just creates registry paths and values that aren't consulted by .NET. – Bristle

Answer 1

I tried again today with a new download and it worked! They must have fixed the issue. Hopefully everyone else can get it running today.

Theresiatheresina

Answer 2

I had the same issue, I executed the Powershell script as mentioned in the other thread (run powershell as an administrator), restarted my PC and used the re-downloaded installer (from the url in the error message). This time the installer went through. Hope it helps!

Digitigrade

Thanks! Unfortunately that didn't work for me though. – Theresiatheresina

It won't work (at least for the past 1 month, 1 endless loop) – Cartilage