Add SQL Server Express “Advanced” features to LocalDB installed by Visual Studio

6
votes

I installed VS 2013. It installed SQL Server 2012 Express with LocalDB. That's great, except that I need full-text search, and it didn't install "Advanced Services" (and I didn't see an option during install).

I've downloaded SQL Server 2012 Express w/Advanced Services to add this, but it seems to want to install it on a new instance. Does this sound familiar to you? How did you add SQL Server Advanced Services to your LocalDB installation?

I had the same issue last VS version, and resorted to reinstalling SQL Server then. I apologize for coming to the community with a mundane question, but it vexes me. :)

Here's what I did:

  • start the SQL Server Express Advanced install
  • choose to modify an existing instance
  • check "full-text" under Instance Features / Database Engine Services
  • find that the installed instances list is empty at the "Instance Configuration" screen, and it wants to install a new instance
2
sql-servervisual-studiovisual-studio-2013sql-server-2012localdb
Just to clarify... are you mostly wanting to add stuff from "Advanced" to your default instance? Or are you wanting to run them in LocalDb? - Mike M
I want to use Full-Text Search/Index on my LocalDB, and I'd prefer not to install a full-time "instance". I like that (with LocalDB) there's fewer services running on my development laptop when not needed, and that restores occur in my user context so I don't have issues with where my backups are kept. Etc. - shannon
Sure. While SQL Express should work, it looks like LocalDB is not an option, unless it changed in 2014 ... stackoverflow.com/questions/16369730/… - Mike M
Yes, looks like a duplicate. The other question has a poor title relative to the conditions causing the problem in my case. - shannon
So I guess they are only kind of duplicates. Same topic. Different scenario. - shannon

2 Answers

7
votes

Looks like this cannot be done, unfortunately.

LocalDB is cool, but apparently not all-powerful.
Check out this existing post (among others):

Can't create an index catalog in localdb v\11.0

-1
votes

Check at Windows services, the Instance name (found within braces) for the SQL Server service.

Then,

  • start the SQL Server Express Advanced install
  • choose to modify an existing instance
  • check "full-text" under Instance Features / Database Engine Services
  • find that the installed instances list is empty at the "Instance Configuration" screen, and it wants to install a new instance...

At this point,

Manually type the instance name manually that you found at Windows services. (Instance name Case Sensitive though)