When attempting to install the SQL Server Client Tools (for SQL Server 2005 Standard and Enterprise) after SQL Server 2005 Express in already installed, the installation program throws an error:

This error pops because under the covers, the default installation of SQL Server 2005 Express installs a couple of the same client components that are installed with the larger tool set.

To correct this you need to remove the client tools installed with Express and then install the client tools from SQL Server 2005 Standard (or Enterprise).

Here’s how:

Uninstall SQL Server Express Client Components

1. Open the “Add/Remove Programs” (“Programs and Features” on Vista) from the Control Panel.

2. Scroll down to and select “Microsoft SQL Server 2005”

3. Click the “Change” button

4. In the setup application, select the “Workstation Components” option

5. Complete the uninstall wizard

Install SQL Server 2005 Client Tools
You will need the SQL Server 2005 Standard (or Enterprise) installation disk(s).

6. Install the SQL Server 2005 Client Tools using the installation wizard

Thanks for listening.