On a brand new (fresh) Windows 10 Pro 1909 system, I have run into problems installing theLocalDB component of SQL Server 2019 Express Edition.
I first acquired the MSI install file by running the GUI for the SQL Server 2019 Express Edition installer and selecting the "Download Media" option:
Then I chose the LocalDB option:
The above downloaded a 53 MB file: sqllocaldb.msi.
I ran the file from an elevated CMD window. The install failed with the error message:"Service 'SQL Server VSS Writer' (SQLWriter) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient priviliges to start system services."
The indication about lack of privilige is misleading, as I used an admin account to do the install, as mentioned.
Per online suggestions, I also tried modifying the "Log On" tab for the service in question and set "Local System account -> Allow service to interact with the desktop" box, which did not help.
The only way I was able to proceed with the install was to use the Custom option in the GUI and check both Instance Features -> Database Engine Services and Shared Features -> LocalDB in the Feature Selection pane.
However, this results in the installation of two instances, as follows:
This kind of defeats my purpose: I want the compact LocalDB version only, not accompanied by the full Express edition.
In any case, I don't understand why, during the install, LocalDB shows a dependence on the VSS Writer service?
I would appreciate learning more about the whole thing. Maybe my understanding of LocalDB, that it's a simple, SQLite-like db, is incorrect.
Thanks.