Where is SQL Server Management Studio 2012?

Question

Just download SQLEXPRWT_x64_ENU.exe from Microsoft Downloads - SQL Server® 2012 Express with SP1

You can get SSMS Express tools from here or full SQL Server Eval tools from here. MSDN/TechNet Downloads is currently the only place to get RTM versions (non-eval) of the SSMS 2012 toolset.

Note the first link now(dec 2017) points to 'Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Service Pack 2 (SP2) Express'. ssms 2014 and 2017 are still available.

I just ran into this problem. I had to open back the installation for SQL Server and click Installation -> New SQL server installation or add features to existing installation. Then when we follow the instruction until we reach feature selection, just check the SQL Management tools checkbox and continue.

I have no idea why this software is considered a feature and hidden like this. It should be a stand-alone software installation.

I've found that the command line is my friend in these situations.

I installed the SQL Server 2012 Enterprise Management Tools, including Management Studio, off the DVD (mounted ISO actually), without installing anything else using this command:

e:\setup.exe /Q /IACCEPTSQLSERVERLICENSETERMS /ACTION=install /FEATURES=Tools

Run the command prompt with elevated privileges. And be patient, as it has to unpack the installation files. Don't try to install the MSI files directly, as you lose the dependency checking packaged with the main installer.

Again, this is to install the full version off the Enterprise or Developer media, if you have it, and do not wish to settle for the free Express edition.