Yes, you can install MySQL without using the standard installer. You can implement it by downloading and decompressing ZIP files (Windows), using package manager (Linux), or manually compiling from source code (advanced users); each method requires manual configuration settings, including configuration files, data directory initialization and service settings.
Yes, you can install MySQL without using the standard installer. In fact, many developers and system administrators prefer this method when they need more control over the setup or are working in environments like Linux servers or containers where a GUI-based installer isn't practical.

Here's how to do it and what to keep in mind.

Download and Use the ZIP Archive (Windows)
On Windows, instead of running the installer (.msi or .exe), you can download the ZIP version of MySQL from the official site.
- Go to MySQL Community Server downloads
- Choose the "Windows" platform and look for the ZIP archive (usually labeled as "Windows (x86, 64-bit), ZIP Archive")
- Extract the contents to a directory like
C:\mysql
Once extracted, you'll need to:

- Set up the configuration file (
my.ini
ormy.cnf
) - Initialize the data directory manually
- Create a Windows service or run it manually via command line
This method skips all the guided steps of the installer, so you have to handle each part yourself.
Install from Package Managers (Linux)
If you're on Linux, you almost never use a traditional installer. Instead, you'll use package managers like:
-
apt
(Debian/Ubuntu):sudo apt update && sudo apt install mysql-server
yum
ordnf
(CentOS/RHEL):sudo yum install mysql-server
These commands install MySQL directly without any graphic setup wizard. After installation, you'll still want to run the secure installation script:
sudo mysql_secure_installation
This helps you set the root password and disable remote root access, among other security-related settings.
Manual Compilation from Source Code
For advanced users who need full customization — like specific build flags or integration with custom environments — compiling MySQL from source is an option.
You'll need to:
- Download the source code from the MySQL website or GitHub
- Install required dependencies (like CMake, GCC, etc.)
- Run CMake and compile the code
This process takes longer and requires more technical knowledge, but gives you total control over the installation.
It's typically used in specialized environments or embedded systems.
Things to Watch Out For
- User permissions : Make sure the MySQL process has proper access to its data directory.
- Configuration files : The default config might not match your setup, especially if you moved directories or changed ports.
- Data directory initialization : You may need to run
mysqld --initialize
manually to generate initial system databases. - Service setup : On Windows, you'll need to register MySQL as a service using
mysqld --install
. On Linux, usesystemctl start mysql
after installing via package manager.
So yes, you absolutely can install MySQL without using the standard installer. Whether you're extracting a ZIP file, using a package manager, or compiling from source, just be prepared to handle some manual setup steps that the installer would normally take care of automatically.
Basically that's it.
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