Download & Install MySQL on Windows 11

Overview

This tutorial outlines steps to download & install the MySQL database Community Server on Windows 11 operating system. Windows 11 is the latest operating system from Microsoft Corporation.

Environment

The environment used in this tutorial is as follows:

Windows 11 Operating System
Web Browser: Firefox Browser
MySQL Server 8.x Community Server

Download

Open a web browser and navigate to the MySQL website download page:

https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/

This will launch the MySQL Community downloads page. Click on the link: MySQL Community Server

MySQL Community Downloads TDocs

Choose Microsoft Windows from the Select Operating System drop-down:

Click on the MySQL Installer for Windows. The installer is a single file with all the MySQL components bundled into a single package.

MySQL Download Windows 11

Click on the Download button and save the installer onto the Windows 11 computer.

Optional Step

At this step, you can optionally Sign Up for an Oracle Web Account. The login or signup at this page is optional.

MySQL Login Signup Page No Thanks

Click on the link ‘No thanks, just start my download.’ link to continue with the download.

Install

Open File Explorer and locate the downloaded MySQL Installer file.

Windows 11 Downloads Folder

Double click on the MySQL Installer file to run it.

Click on the Yes button on the UAC elevation prompt. Verify the Publisher information in the UAC dialog prompt. MySQL server install needs administrator privileges on the machine. UAC( User Account Control) is a built-in Windows security feature to alert you if any program attempts to perform an administrative task.

Tampered or malicious installer would not be signed or stomped with legitimate Publisher information.

MySQL UAC Prompt Windows 11

Setup Type

Choose the Setup type and click on the Next > button. MySQL supports many install types like:

Developer
Server only
Client only
Full
Custom

For example, to install all the MySQL components select Full install type.

Choose the MySQL Install Type Win11

Click on the Execute button to install the MySQL components.

MySQL Install Win11

Configuration

Type and Networking

Choose the Config Type. We have three options

Development Computer
Server Computer
Dedicated Computer

Development Computer: Choose this if several applications and servers run on the installed computer. MySQL will use a minimum memory footprint on this configuration.

Server Computer: Choose this configuration if other servers run on the computer.

Dedicated Computer: Choose this configuration if only the MySQL server runs on the computer. MySQL would use all the available memory.

Server Configuration Type MySQL Win11

TCP/IP Ports

We can configure TCP/IP ports for server communication. It’s recommended to leave the default ports. Click on the Next > button.

Authentication Method

Use Strong Password Encryption for Authentication. MySQL 8 supports new authentication based on SHA256 encryption.

Click on the Next > button.

Accounts and Roles

We can set the root password on this screen. Set a strong password and store this password in a secure place. To add user accounts click on the Add User button.

The use of an anonymous user account is not recommended due to the lack of security.

Windows Service

Configure MySQL Server as a Windows service. To start the MySQL server at system startup

Check the option Start the MySQL Server at System Startup. This option will start the MYSQL Server Service during the Windows 11 boot/ restart process. We can also configure the user account for the MySQL Windows Service.

MySQL Server Win11 Service

Apply Configuration

Click on the Execute button to apply the changes. Once complete click on the Finish button. Depending on the machine and network configuration the MySQL install might take a while to get complete.

That’s it. We are done with the MySQL installation on Windows 11 operating system. MySQL Server would be started by default.