SQL Server Express Installation Dialog Feedback

Yesterday, I set out to build a new VM to install SQL Server Express 2019 (freshly downloaded yesterday) to do some testing with.

I found an issue with the installation dialog and tried to forward my comments internally through existing contacts at Microsoft, but that failed. I also tried to find a direct line of communication, but couldn’t find one available to me. So I decided to post it here in the hopes someone will see it and manage to forward it to the proper authorities.

Installation Issue

Now the initial dialog is clear (pay attention to the hyperlink at the bottom of the page):

As the dialog progresses, we then start getting presented with:

and

and so on, where the hyperlinks are harsh and completely illegible.

Red is a bad choice in a general sense as it indicates a critical error or worse and I don’t think that’s the message trying to be conveyed in this instance.

Just thought the SQL Server team would like to be aware of this so they can correct it to improve the user experience and get people actually clicking on the links.

Website

I also came across an issue with their website.

I was on the page

SQL Server 2019 | Microsoft

Transform your business with a unified data platform. SQL Server 2019 comes with Apache Spark and Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) for intelligence over all your data.

and clicked on the Get started with SQL Server 2019 Try now > button (at the bottom of the page):

and then you get redirected to a generic Microsoft Download page that has zero content about SQL Server????? 🤨

Microsoft Download Center: Windows, Office, Xbox & More

Download the latest from Windows, Windows Apps, Office, Xbox, Skype, Windows 10, Lumia phone, Edge & Internet Explorer, Dev Tools & more.

Who knew it was this hard for a Microsoft MVP to provide free feedback to a Development Team at Microsoft.

Please feel free to forward this page should you have contact with the SQL Server team. Thank you!

2 responses on “SQL Server Express Installation Dialog Feedback”

George Hamlin May 13, 2022 at 5:15 pm

If you can’t even get feedback listened to what hope does the general public. Simply ridiculous.

When you say “through existing contacts at Microsoft, but that failed”, how exactly did that fail? They work for the same company, have access to the corporate email listing. Can you explain that statement.

Daniel Pineault Post authorMay 13, 2022 at 5:21 pm

Yes, I’ve been surprised at how hard Microsoft makes it to get information to destination. They have their feedback site, but as we’ve seen, the content isn’t managed so I don’t think it is worth using and as such we don’t really have any means available to us.

As for your second question, I can’t elaborate any further, simply no point. That said, your thought(s) on the matter match mine, but that wasn’t reality in this instance. I don’t know what to say.

George Hamlin May 13, 2022 at 5:15 pm

If you can’t even get feedback listened to what hope does the general public. Simply ridiculous.

When you say “through existing contacts at Microsoft, but that failed”, how exactly did that fail? They work for the same company, have access to the corporate email listing. Can you explain that statement.
1. Daniel Pineault Post authorMay 13, 2022 at 5:21 pm
  
  Yes, I’ve been surprised at how hard Microsoft makes it to get information to destination. They have their feedback site, but as we’ve seen, the content isn’t managed so I don’t think it is worth using and as such we don’t really have any means available to us.
  
  As for your second question, I can’t elaborate any further, simply no point. That said, your thought(s) on the matter match mine, but that wasn’t reality in this instance. I don’t know what to say.