SQL Server 2022 Oops... Error decompressing SQL Server media

Question

SQL Server 2022 Oops... Error decompressing SQL Server media

Mahmoud Khaled 0

Hello,

I am trying to install SQL Server 2022 for the first time, but it gives me this error.

I spent about 10 days to find the main cause of this problem and try to solve it, but it seems that is a new one.

I tried to:

remove .exe installation file and download it again.
remove all relative files and download them again.
i have tried to install on Linux but i couldn't 😢.

From my POV, I think that the decompressing was uncompleted.

I don't know the reason.

I hope you'll find any solution for my little issue.

Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-19T22:53:50.45+00:00

At which point does this happen? Do you come as far as you can select the option Download media? If so, try that option.
Mahmoud Khaled 0 Reputation points

2025-03-20T05:07:52.5433333+00:00

Hi @Erland Sommarskog , I downloaded the official .exe file from Microsoft (the one meant for developers). After executing it, the program prompted me to choose from three options. I selected the Custom option, and it began downloading approximately 1.72 GB of data. Next, it started extracting a file named SQLServer2022-Dev-x64-ENU.box. Finally, it displayed this page. What i need to know is the reason and if there any ways to get the extraction files and folders to place them without installing it.
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-20T21:38:12.68+00:00

I would recommend that you try Download Media, which is the one I normally use myself.

However, it does sound like a broken download. This can be due to network issues. If possible, try a different network path. For instance loading from network in your office rather that at home or vice versa.
Mahmoud Khaled 0 Reputation points

2025-03-21T04:36:34.8533333+00:00

Hi @Erland Sommarskog ,

I tried downloading it from a different network, but here’s what happened:

First, after about halfway through the download, I received this

Then, i clicked retry. it continued downloading and gave me it is installing Sql.

Then, it gave me this.

now I downloaded it from the Download Media. what should i do next to install it?
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-21T09:50:32.6566667+00:00

The error in the first screenshot definitely suggests a network problem.

If you have downloaded the ISO file, just (double-)click it and run Setup.exe.
Mahmoud Khaled 0 Reputation points

2025-03-22T04:39:26.2266667+00:00

when i try to (double-)chick it, it doesn't even launch. i turned all antiviruses off and i still have the same issue.
Ankur Agrawal 0 Reputation points

2025-03-22T08:01:26.6533333+00:00

Try installing the installable as administraot user.

Also, refer the SQL Server 2022 requirements - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server-2022?view=sql-server-ver16

There might be some miss causing an issue.
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-22T10:49:14.3+00:00

Something blinks briefly. If you open a command-line window and move to the folder and then say "Setup.exe" maybe you will see some error message. Although, I am not sure how useful it will be.
Mahmoud Khaled 0 Reputation points

2025-03-23T03:41:32.44+00:00

My laptop is Dell vostro 3510 core i5 with about 12 GB RAM and 1.2 TB Hard disk.

I run the Setup.exe file using terminal that run as administrator, I didn't get any error!

This is the Task Manager screen of what happen:

I tried to stop "Antimalware Service Executable" but i couldn't.
Mahmoud Khaled 0 Reputation points

2025-03-23T08:46:55.9766667+00:00

Look what I did: I already had VirtualBox installed on my Windows. I downloaded the ISO file for the Windows installation and ran it on VirtualBox. I transferred the same ISO file (the one I originally downloaded on my Windows) to the virtual machine, and then things started happening. SQL ran without any problems. I think the main issue was my Windows installation because I’ve downloaded a lot of things and modified the Environment Variables, which made things more complicated. What I need now is a way to repair my Windows without losing the programs I’ve installed.
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-23T11:00:24.9633333+00:00

Sounds like you got things sorted out, at least partially. Yes, these sort of problems are often due to something in the local environment, and very difficult to troubleshoot on a distance.
Mahmoud Khaled 0 Reputation points

2025-03-24T00:38:10.4766667+00:00

Thanks a lot for your efforts and your replies all this time.

Do you have any idea how I could solve this issue or a place I could go to solve it?
Erland Sommarskog 134.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-03-24T04:30:32.2066667+00:00

I think at this point we have strayed beyond the point of SQL Server and it is more a general Windows question. Maybe running SQL Server in a VM is the best solution after all.
万宝李 0 Reputation points

2026-06-16T01:29:02.9766667+00:00

I solved by this

（1）找一台能安装的其他电脑，下载MSSQL到本地，运行 SQLEXPR_x64_CHS.exe ，他会解压到 c:\xxxx 这个文件夹，（2）把 c:\xxxx 复制到你的电脑上，双击即可安装

(1) On another good computer, download SQLEXPR_x64_CHS.exe to local machine and run it. The exe program will first extract all the files to the C:\xxxx folder.

(2) Copy the C:\xxxx folder to your computer and double-click it to start the installation.
Akhil Gajavelly 1,830 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-06-18T05:27:41.5966667+00:00

Hi @万宝李 ,

Thank you for the update. Since the installation media worked successfully in a virtual machine, it appears the issue is related to the local Windows environment rather than SQL Server setup itself. If you continue to experience SQL Server installation issues after addressing the host OS problem, please share the latest setup logs and we'll be happy to investigate further.

Thanks,
Akhil.