Uninstalling a SQL Server 2008 Express instance

Uninstalling SQL Server Express removes the SQL Server Express software, but the geodatabase files you created remain on the computer. If at a later time you reinstall SQL Server Express and want to use the geodatabase files you had previously created, you need to attach them or restore them from backup files.

Note:

You must be a Windows administrator to uninstall programs from the computer.

Steps:

1. Open the Windows Control Panel.
2. On Windows XP and Server 2003 operating systems (OS), double-click the Add or Remove Programs icon. On Windows Vista or Server 2008, double-click Programs and Features.
3. Select Microsoft SQL Server 2008 from the program list.
4. Click Remove. The wizard checks to confirm that the uninstallation can be run.
5. Choose the SQL Server Express instance to uninstall on the Select Instance dialog box.
6. Choose Database Engine Services on the Select Features dialog box and click Next.
7. Click Remove to uninstall the instance of SQL Server 2008 Express.
8. When the components have been successfully removed, click Next to proceed to the last dialog box.
9. Click Close to exit the wizard.