Looking For Feedback: Native 64-bit Support In SQL Express

Hi All,

I have another set of questions for the group to help guide me in planning future versions of SQL Express, this time related to 64-bit support.

Quick History

In SQL Server 2005, SQL Express was only released in the 32-bit architecture. We supported installation to x64 computers using the Windows on Windows implementation that allowed the 32-bit program to install on 64-bit computers. We released two different installer packages, SQLEXPR32.EXE could only be installed on 32-bit platforms, while SQLEXPR.EXE could be installed on both 32-bit and 64-bit platforms, but was the exact same db engine. Package size differences were the result of additional files needed to support WoW installation.

Now to the Point

A number of people have asked that we release a native 64-bit version of SQL Express, which leads me to my questions for this thread:


What advantages will a native 64-bit Express offer you?

Does a 64-bit Express eliminate the need to support 32-bit WoW? (Consider that without WoW, we would not have a single package that could install on both architectures.)

If you could only have either native 64-bit Express or WoW support, which would you choose? (Bonus if you tell me why. )

What user/application scenarios are driving your need for native 64-bit Express?
Once again, I will try to limit my participation in this thread, since it's all about your feedback, but I will be reading it closely. I appreciate the effort you put into answering my questions and want to assure you that your feedback is a significant part of how I plan the future of SQL Express. As always, you can answer directly in this thread or respond to me directly, just remove the word "online" from the e-mail address in my profile.

Let the feedback begin,

Mike Wachal
SQL Express team