SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition is not installing in my Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th edition

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SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition is not installing in my Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th edition

MH 20

Screenshot 2025-10-19 094917

Viorel 124.9K Reputation points

2025-10-19T05:02:57.9433333+00:00
Maybe it is not possible yet.

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/1792237/

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/1856890/
Erland Sommarskog 127.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-19T08:32:14.3666667+00:00

What type of processor do you have? Beware that SQL Server does not run on ARM.

If you have an x64 processor, something unexpected is happening. In the folder in the screenshot, you find a number of log files. The most interesting of these are summary.txt and detail.txt. Please feel free to upload them here.

But, again, only if you have an x64 processor. If you have an ARM processor it is "game over".

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Viorel 124.9K Reputation points

2025-10-19T05:02:57.9433333+00:00

Maybe it is not possible yet.

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/1792237/

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/answers/questions/1856890/
Erland Sommarskog 127.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-19T08:32:14.3666667+00:00

What type of processor do you have? Beware that SQL Server does not run on ARM.

If you have an x64 processor, something unexpected is happening. In the folder in the screenshot, you find a number of log files. The most interesting of these are summary.txt and detail.txt. Please feel free to upload them here.

But, again, only if you have an x64 processor. If you have an ARM processor it is "game over".

Answer 1

Akhil Gajavelly 645 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @ MH8153,

The issue occurs because your Surface Laptop 7 uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM processor, while SQL Server 2022 only supports x64 architecture. This means the installer cannot run natively hence the error:

“The system cannot find the path specified."

You can successfully install and run SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition by creating a Windows 11 x64 virtual machine on your ARM device.

Enable Hyper-V (available in Windows 11 Pro ARM):
- Open Control Panel → Programs → Turn Windows features on or off
  - Check Hyper-V
    - Click OK and restart your device.
Download the Windows 11 x64 ISO from Microsoft. Download Windows 11
Create a new virtual machine in Hyper-V using the x64 ISO.
Start the VM, complete Windows setup, and then install SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition inside the VM.

This method works, because it provides a true x64 environment where SQL Server can install and run normally.

Thanks,
Akhil.

Akhil Gajavelly 645 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2025-10-23T11:22:22.69+00:00

Hi @MH8153,

Just following up to check if you were able to set up the Windows 11 x64 VM and install SQL Server 2022 successfully. Did this approach resolve the “system cannot find the path specified” error on your ARM Surface Laptop 7?

If you ran into any roadblocks during VM creation or SQL Server installation, feel free to share the details we can guide you through the steps.

Thanks,
Akhil.
MH 20 Reputation points

2025-10-24T06:59:53.4833333+00:00

Hi Akhil,

Thank you for responding.

I ended up having to use my university's virtual desktop to complete the tutorial tasks I needed with the SQL Server rather than download the SSMS and VS locally.

That being said, I have a new issue and I'm hoping I will be able to download VS locally but this time using MySQL workbench and downloading an ODBC connector to create dimension tables, etc.

It seems, based on this link from Microsoft, Visual Studio should not be an issue for my system type (ARM64). However, I'm not sure how to ensure I can install SSIS within VS as well as link MySQL workbench to the SSIS project I will be working on.

https://free.blessedness.top/en-us/visualstudio/install/visual-studio-on-arm-devices?view=vs-2022

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

M
Erland Sommarskog 127.4K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-10-24T20:38:30.0633333+00:00

I would recommend that you post a question for this problem. Microsoft Q&A is designed for one question from one poster at a time.

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SQL Server 2022 Developer Edition is not installing in my Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th edition

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