Install MySQL on Your Computer

Step-by-step guide to downloading and installing MySQL on Windows, macOS, and Linux, including MySQL Workbench setup and first connection verification.

Before you can write SQL queries and build databases, you need a database server running on your machine. MySQL is one of the most popular choices for learning SQL — it is free, well-documented, and used by companies like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. This guide walks you through installing MySQL step by step on any operating system.

Installing MySQL on Windows

Step 1: Download the Installer

Go to the official MySQL downloads page at https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/installer/ and download the MySQL Installer for Windows. Choose the full installer (not the web installer) for a smoother experience.

Step 2: Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded .msi file. When the installer opens:

Choose Custom installation type (gives you control over what gets installed)
Select these components:

MySQL Server (latest version)
MySQL Workbench
MySQL Shell
Connector/J (if you plan to use Java)

Step 3: Configure the Server

The installer will ask you to configure MySQL Server:

Config Type: Choose "Development Computer" (uses less memory)
Port: Keep the default 3306
Authentication: Use "Strong Password Encryption" (recommended)
Root Password: Set a strong password and remember it. This is your admin password.
Windows Service: Check "Configure MySQL Server as a Windows Service" and "Start at System Startup"

Step 4: Verify Installation

Open MySQL Workbench. You should see a connection tile labeled "Local instance MySQL." Click it, enter your root password, and you should see the query editor.

Test with:

sql example

SELECT VERSION();

If you see a version number like 8.0.xx, MySQL is installed and running.

Installing MySQL on macOS

Method 1: Using the DMG Installer

Go to https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/ and download the DMG for macOS
Open the DMG file and run the installer package
Follow the wizard — it installs MySQL to /usr/local/mysql/
At the end, you will see a temporary root password. Copy it immediately.
Open System Preferences and find the MySQL panel. Start the server.

Method 2: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

If you have Homebrew installed, this is simpler:

bash example

# Install MySQL
brew install mysql

# Start the MySQL service
brew services start mysql

# Secure the installation (set root password)
mysql_secure_installation

Install MySQL Workbench on macOS

Download from https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/ and drag it to your Applications folder.

Verify Installation

Open Terminal and run:

bash example

mysql -u root -p

Enter your password. If you see the mysql> prompt, you are connected.

sql example

SELECT VERSION();
SHOW DATABASES;

Installing MySQL on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Step 1: Update Package List

bash example

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

bash example

sudo apt install mysql-server

Step 3: Secure the Installation

bash example

sudo mysql_secure_installation

This interactive script asks you to:

Set a root password
Remove anonymous users
Disable remote root login
Remove the test database
Reload privilege tables

Answer Yes to all for a secure setup.

Step 4: Verify the Service

bash example

sudo systemctl status mysql

You should see "active (running)."

Step 5: Connect

bash example

sudo mysql -u root -p

sql example

SELECT VERSION();
SHOW DATABASES;

First Steps After Installation

Once MySQL is running, verify everything works by creating a test database:

sql example

-- Create a test database
CREATE DATABASE test_db;

-- Switch to it
USE test_db;

-- Create a simple table
CREATE TABLE greetings (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
    message VARCHAR(100),
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

-- Insert some data
INSERT INTO greetings (message) VALUES ('Hello, MySQL!');
INSERT INTO greetings (message) VALUES ('SQL is working!');

-- Query the data
SELECT * FROM greetings;

If you see your messages displayed in a table, congratulations — MySQL is fully set up and ready for learning.

Setting Up MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench is the recommended GUI tool for writing and testing queries:

Open MySQL Workbench after installation
Create a new connection (or use the default Local instance)

Connection Name: Local MySQL
Hostname: 127.0.0.1
Port: 3306
Username: root

Test Connection — click the button to verify it works
Open the connection — you will see the SQL editor where you can write queries

Workbench Tips for Beginners

Use Ctrl+Enter (or Cmd+Enter on Mac) to execute the current statement
Use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to execute all statements in the editor
The "Schemas" panel on the left shows all your databases and tables
Right-click a table to see its structure or data

Creating a Practice User

For security, avoid using the root account for everyday work. Create a dedicated practice user:

sql example

-- Create a new user
CREATE USER 'student'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YourPassword123';

-- Grant full access to a practice database
CREATE DATABASE practice;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON practice.* TO 'student'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Now connect to MySQL Workbench using the student account for your learning exercises.

Common Installation Issues

Issue: "Access denied for user 'root'" You are using the wrong password. On macOS DMG installs, check for the temporary password shown during installation.

Issue: "Can't connect to MySQL server on localhost" The MySQL service is not running. Start it:

Windows: Open Services, find MySQL, click Start
macOS: System Preferences > MySQL > Start
Linux: sudo systemctl start mysql

Issue: "Port 3306 already in use" Another MySQL instance or another service is using port 3306. Stop the conflicting service or change MySQL's port in the configuration file.

Issue: MySQL Workbench cannot find the server Make sure the hostname is 127.0.0.1 (not localhost) and the port is 3306.

What is Next?

Now that MySQL is installed, you are ready to:

Create your first real database
Design tables with proper constraints
Insert, query, update, and delete data
Practice SQL queries from this course

Keep MySQL Workbench open as your workspace — it is where you will write and test all your SQL throughout this course.

Installing MySQL on Windows

Step 1: Download the Installer

Step 2: Run the Installer

Double-click the downloaded .msi file. When the installer opens:

Choose Custom installation type (gives you control over what gets installed)
Select these components:

MySQL Server (latest version)
MySQL Workbench
MySQL Shell
Connector/J (if you plan to use Java)

Step 3: Configure the Server

The installer will ask you to configure MySQL Server:

Config Type: Choose "Development Computer" (uses less memory)
Port: Keep the default 3306
Authentication: Use "Strong Password Encryption" (recommended)
Root Password: Set a strong password and remember it. This is your admin password.
Windows Service: Check "Configure MySQL Server as a Windows Service" and "Start at System Startup"

Step 4: Verify Installation

Open MySQL Workbench. You should see a connection tile labeled "Local instance MySQL." Click it, enter your root password, and you should see the query editor.

Test with:

sql example

SELECT VERSION();

If you see a version number like 8.0.xx, MySQL is installed and running.

Installing MySQL on macOS

Method 1: Using the DMG Installer

Go to https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/ and download the DMG for macOS
Open the DMG file and run the installer package
Follow the wizard — it installs MySQL to /usr/local/mysql/
At the end, you will see a temporary root password. Copy it immediately.
Open System Preferences and find the MySQL panel. Start the server.

Method 2: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

If you have Homebrew installed, this is simpler:

bash example

# Install MySQL
brew install mysql

# Start the MySQL service
brew services start mysql

# Secure the installation (set root password)
mysql_secure_installation

Install MySQL Workbench on macOS

Download from https://dev.mysql.com/downloads/workbench/ and drag it to your Applications folder.

Verify Installation

Open Terminal and run:

bash example

mysql -u root -p

Enter your password. If you see the mysql> prompt, you are connected.

sql example

SELECT VERSION();
SHOW DATABASES;

Installing MySQL on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Step 1: Update Package List

bash example

sudo apt update

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

bash example

sudo apt install mysql-server

Step 3: Secure the Installation

bash example

sudo mysql_secure_installation

This interactive script asks you to:

Set a root password
Remove anonymous users
Disable remote root login
Remove the test database
Reload privilege tables

Answer Yes to all for a secure setup.

Step 4: Verify the Service

bash example

sudo systemctl status mysql

You should see "active (running)."

Step 5: Connect

bash example

sudo mysql -u root -p

sql example

SELECT VERSION();
SHOW DATABASES;

First Steps After Installation

Once MySQL is running, verify everything works by creating a test database:

sql example

-- Create a test database
CREATE DATABASE test_db;

-- Switch to it
USE test_db;

-- Create a simple table
CREATE TABLE greetings (
    id INT PRIMARY KEY AUTO_INCREMENT,
    message VARCHAR(100),
    created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT CURRENT_TIMESTAMP
);

-- Insert some data
INSERT INTO greetings (message) VALUES ('Hello, MySQL!');
INSERT INTO greetings (message) VALUES ('SQL is working!');

-- Query the data
SELECT * FROM greetings;

If you see your messages displayed in a table, congratulations — MySQL is fully set up and ready for learning.

Setting Up MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench is the recommended GUI tool for writing and testing queries:

Open MySQL Workbench after installation
Create a new connection (or use the default Local instance)

Connection Name: Local MySQL
Hostname: 127.0.0.1
Port: 3306
Username: root

Test Connection — click the button to verify it works
Open the connection — you will see the SQL editor where you can write queries

Workbench Tips for Beginners

Use Ctrl+Enter (or Cmd+Enter on Mac) to execute the current statement
Use Ctrl+Shift+Enter to execute all statements in the editor
The "Schemas" panel on the left shows all your databases and tables
Right-click a table to see its structure or data

Creating a Practice User

For security, avoid using the root account for everyday work. Create a dedicated practice user:

sql example

-- Create a new user
CREATE USER 'student'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'YourPassword123';

-- Grant full access to a practice database
CREATE DATABASE practice;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON practice.* TO 'student'@'localhost';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Now connect to MySQL Workbench using the student account for your learning exercises.

Common Installation Issues

Issue: "Access denied for user 'root'" You are using the wrong password. On macOS DMG installs, check for the temporary password shown during installation.

Issue: "Can't connect to MySQL server on localhost" The MySQL service is not running. Start it:

Windows: Open Services, find MySQL, click Start
macOS: System Preferences > MySQL > Start
Linux: sudo systemctl start mysql

Issue: "Port 3306 already in use" Another MySQL instance or another service is using port 3306. Stop the conflicting service or change MySQL's port in the configuration file.

Issue: MySQL Workbench cannot find the server Make sure the hostname is 127.0.0.1 (not localhost) and the port is 3306.

What is Next?

Now that MySQL is installed, you are ready to:

Create your first real database
Design tables with proper constraints
Insert, query, update, and delete data
Practice SQL queries from this course

Keep MySQL Workbench open as your workspace — it is where you will write and test all your SQL throughout this course.

Installing MySQL on Windows

Step 1: Download the Installer

Step 2: Run the Installer

Step 3: Configure the Server

Step 4: Verify Installation

Installing MySQL on macOS

Method 1: Using the DMG Installer

Method 2: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

Install MySQL Workbench on macOS

Verify Installation

Installing MySQL on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Step 1: Update Package List

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

Step 3: Secure the Installation

Step 4: Verify the Service

Step 5: Connect

First Steps After Installation

Setting Up MySQL Workbench

Workbench Tips for Beginners

Creating a Practice User

Common Installation Issues

What is Next?

Continue learning this concept

Installing MySQL on Windows

Step 1: Download the Installer

Step 2: Run the Installer

Step 3: Configure the Server

Step 4: Verify Installation

Installing MySQL on macOS

Method 1: Using the DMG Installer

Method 2: Using Homebrew (Recommended)

Install MySQL Workbench on macOS

Verify Installation

Installing MySQL on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

Step 1: Update Package List

Step 2: Install MySQL Server

Step 3: Secure the Installation

Step 4: Verify the Service

Step 5: Connect

First Steps After Installation

Setting Up MySQL Workbench

Workbench Tips for Beginners

Creating a Practice User

Common Installation Issues

What is Next?

Continue learning this concept