How to Install MySQL 9.7 on Windows

This guide installs MySQL 9.7 LTS on Windows 11 x86_64 or a supported Windows Server release. MySQL 9.7 uses the server MSI and MySQL Configurator; the older MySQL Installer is for MySQL 8.0. Check Oracle’s supported-platform list before installing on another Windows version.

Download and install the MSI

Open the MySQL Community Server download page and select the current 9.7 release for Windows x86_64. Choose the MSI package, such as mysql-community-9.7.x.msi, then run it with an account that has Windows administrator privileges.

The MSI installs MySQL Server and MySQL Configurator. After installation, launch MySQL Configurator from the installer or the Windows Start menu to initialize and configure the server. See Oracle’s Windows package selection guide and Configurator guide.

Configure the server for a workstation

In MySQL Configurator:

1. Choose Development for a workstation that runs other applications. Choose Server or Dedicated only when the machine is intended to allocate more memory to MySQL.
2. Keep TCP/IP on port 3306 if local MySQL clients will connect over TCP/IP. For a workstation that does not need remote clients, leave Open Windows Firewall port for network access unchecked. Open access only for the specific clients that need it; do not expose MySQL directly to the public internet.
3. Set a strong root password and save it in a password manager. Keep the Windows service option enabled if you want MySQL to start with Windows.
4. Apply the configuration and confirm that each Configurator step completes successfully.

MySQL Configurator creates the Windows service and default configuration file, and can optionally create database accounts with predefined roles. See the official server configuration workflow.

Verify the server

Open Command Prompt and run the MySQL client from the default MSI installation path. If you chose a custom path, adjust it. The --password option prompts securely rather than placing the password in the command:

"C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 9.7\bin\mysql.exe" --user=root --password --execute="SELECT VERSION();"

The result should report a MySQL 9.7 version. To check the service in PowerShell, use the service name selected by Configurator (the default is MySQL97):

Get-Service MySQL97

Create a database and a restricted application account

Connect as root using an interactive password prompt:

"C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 9.7\bin\mysql.exe" --user=root --password

At the MySQL prompt, create a database and a sample table, then create a local-only application account with row-level permissions:

CREATE DATABASE appdb;
CREATE TABLE appdb.users (
  id INT AUTO_INCREMENT PRIMARY KEY,
  name VARCHAR(50),
  email VARCHAR(100)
);

CREATE USER 'appuser'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY RANDOM PASSWORD;
GRANT SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON appdb.* TO 'appuser'@'localhost';

MySQL returns the generated password once. Save it securely. The account can work with rows in appdb but cannot create or alter schema objects; use a separate migration account if the application needs schema changes.

Test the application account from Command Prompt:

"C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 9.7\bin\mysql.exe" --user=appuser --password --database=appdb --execute="SELECT DATABASE();"

Enter the generated application password at the prompt. For more installation and administration guides, visit the MySQL tutorial and SQL and database tools.