Get started with Microsoft SQL Server downloads. Choose a SQL Server trial, edition, tool, or connector that best meets your data and workload needs.

Microsoft has offered the download of SQL Server 2008 with advanced services for FREE, but only suitable for learning and building desktop and small server applications, and for redistribution by ...

The download link for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Management Studio Express can be found here. then choose “SQLManagementStudio_x86_ENU.exe” from the dialogue box that appears.

Instead of going with the SQL Server 2008 Express bundled with SharePoint, install SQL 2008 R2 Express which has an MDF limit of 10GB. Additionally, enable FILESTREAM support and set up RBS.