Question

I want to create a SQL Server database in App_Data folder, but alert pops up saying:

Connections to SQL server database files (.mdf) require SQL Server
2005 Express or SQL Server 2008 Express to be installed and runnin on
the local computer

But I have this installed:

What’s wrong with that? I need help:/

Answer 1

You need the SQL Server Express, not the normal (non-express) one.

Quoting this thread on MSDN social:

In particular, SSE has a number of options turned on that are
typically not on in higher versions of SQL Server. You could turn
them on but wouldn’t want to if you are using SQL Server as a general
server, not a local database store. In addition, there is some
behavior that is unique to SSE that is particular to the way local
database stores are used. But, to be quite clear, it is exactly the
same .exe.

Have a look at this SO thread, too: Problem with creating .MDF file from Visual Studio 2010