While the main page might point to 2022, Microsoft sometimes maintains older "evaluation" downloads that can be converted.

Choose named instance or default instance.

There is a trick: Download the 180-day ISO, then convert it to Developer Edition using a simple registry key or setup configuration file. This ISO is still live for some regions.

Choose .

SQL Server 2012 requires .NET Framework 3.5. On modern Windows, enable it offline:

Before proceeding, please note that Microsoft no longer provides security updates or technical support for this version. It is recommended for legacy development environments only. For new projects, please consider SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition (which is free) or SQL Server 2019 .

Mount the ISO or burn it to a DVD. Run setup.exe , choose New SQL Server stand-alone installation , and enter your product key (available from MSDN or your licensed portal).

Fortunately, because the Developer Edition was widely distributed to MSDN subscribers, a standard volume license key (VLK) is publicly known and has been documented across countless forums. For the , the key is:

High availability and disaster recovery. Columnstore Indexes: Advanced data warehousing performance. SSIS, SSRS, SSAS: Comprehensive BI capabilities.

Because SQL Server 2012 is long past its end-of-life date, you need to take extra precautions:

Finish the wizard and restart your computer if required. Key Considerations for Modern Systems

To ensure your environment is as stable and secure as possible, you must apply the final cumulative updates.

Right-click SETUP.EXE > Properties > Compatibility Tab > Run as Windows 8 mode. Also, temporarily disable UAC (User Account Control).