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Runbook

Install MariaDB on Windows

Open source SQL database, a community-developed drop-in replacement for MySQL.

Databasesqlrdbmsrelationaldatabaseacidmysql-compatible

Installation

Installer (winget) · winget
winget install -e --id MariaDB.Server

Installs MariaDB Server and the command-line client, and registers a Windows service.

Verify the installation

Verify
mariadb --version

Service

Start
net start MariaDB
Stop
net stop MariaDB
Status
sc query MariaDB
Restart
net stop MariaDB && net start MariaDB

Important files

TypePathDescription
configC:\Program Files\MariaDB 11.4\data\my.iniMain configuration file.
dataC:\Program Files\MariaDB 11.4\dataData directory.
binaryC:\Program Files\MariaDB 11.4\binExecutables (mariadb, mariadbd...) to add to the PATH.

Default ports

3306

Command-line tools

  • mariadbInteractive SQL client.
  • mariadbdThe server daemon.
  • mariadb-adminAdministrative client.

Uninstall

Uninstall
winget uninstall -e --id MariaDB.Server

The data directory under C:\Program Files\MariaDB 11.4 may remain; delete it manually to wipe everything.

Good to know

  • The default service name is MariaDB; the exact version folder (11.4) depends on what you install. Verify with sc query.
  • The MSI installer sets the root password during setup; keep it safe.
  • Add the bin folder to the PATH if mariadb is not recognized in the terminal.

Installation on Windows

winget install -e --id MariaDB.Server runs the MariaDB MSI installer, which installs the server and command-line client and registers a Windows service. The interactive setup asks for a root password — write it down.

Windows service and service name

The default service name is MariaDB. The net start / net stop and sc query commands above use that name; adjust it if you changed it during setup (check with sc query).

Adding mariadb to the PATH

The executables are in C:\Program Files\MariaDB 11.4\bin (the version folder depends on the installed release). If mariadb is not recognized, add that folder to the Path environment variable, then open a new terminal.