MySQL Installer: This package has a file name similar to mysql-installer-community-5.5.33.0.msi or mysql-installer-commercial-5.5.33.0.msi, and utilizes MSI's to automatically install MySQL server and other products. It will download and apply updates to itself, and for each of the installed products. It also configures the additional non-server products.

The installed products are configurable, and this includes: documentation with samples and examples, connectors (such as C, C++, J, NET, and ODBC), MySQL Workbench, MySQL Notifier for Microsoft Windows, MySQL for Excel, and the MySQL Server with its components.

MySQL Installer will run on all Windows platforms that are supported by MySQL. Note: because MySQL is not a native component of Windows and depends on .NET, it will not work on minimal installation options like the "Server Core" version of Windows Server 2008.

For instructions on installing MySQL using MySQL Installer, see Section 2.3.3, “Installing MySQL on Microsoft Windows Using MySQL Installer”.

The Complete Package: This package has a file name similar to mysql-5.5.33-win32.msi and contains all files needed for a complete Windows installation, including the Configuration Wizard. This package includes optional components such as the embedded server and benchmark suite.

The Noinstall Archive: This package has a file name similar to mysql-5.5.33-win32.zip and contains all the files found in the Complete install package, with the exception of the Configuration Wizard. This package does not include an automated installer, and must be manually installed and configured.