It will not install natively on Windows 10 or Windows 11 due to driver and kernel changes.
A: No. Microsoft removed all links in 2015. The only official source is legacy MSDN subscribers or physical media owners.
Since Microsoft has removed direct download links for SQL Server 2000 from its main site, you must rely on archives and community repositories: Download SQL Server 2000 for Windows
Disclaimer: All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. This article is for educational and legacy maintenance purposes only. Do not deploy SQL Server 2000 in a production environment without comprehensive risk assessment.
SQL Server 2000 was designed for older environments. If you are installing it on a modern machine (Windows 10/11), you must follow specific compatibility steps: It will not install natively on Windows 10
Unless you are maintaining a legacy application with no source code, you should migrate. The cost of keeping SQL Server 2000 alive (manually patching, virtualizing, security monitoring) far exceeds the cost of migration.
Are you trying to from an old database or test a legacy application ? The only official source is legacy MSDN subscribers
Here is your quick checklist for on Windows:
Because this is legacy software, you will typically find it in ISO format on archival sites. Internet Archive : Hosts various versions, including the Standard Edition Developer Edition Enterprise Edition : Offers a trial version specifically for Windows NT platforms. Installation Prerequisites
Use SSMS 17.x to connect. Modern SSMS won't recognize SQL 2000.