Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central 2026 release wave 2 is version 29.0, and the on-premises release is now available. This guide explains the key prerequisites and installation flow for deploying Business Central 29 on premises in a test or demonstration environment.
What is Business Central 29?
Business Central 29.0 is the major release for Dynamics 365 Business Central 2026 release wave 2. Microsoft publishes on-premises installation media and monthly updates for the release.
For a new installation, Microsoft recommends using the latest available update for the release.
What are the system requirements for Business Central 29 on-premises?
The installation environment should meet Microsoft's supported operating-system, software, and hardware requirements.
Which Windows Server versions are supported?
For the Business Central Server and Web Server components, Microsoft lists:
- Windows Server 2025 Datacenter or Standard
- Windows Server 2022 Datacenter or Standard
For a development or local deployment scenario, supported Windows 11 editions are also listed.
How much RAM and disk space do I need?
For Business Central Server, Microsoft lists:
- 100 GB hard-disk space
- 16 GB RAM for running the application
- 16 GB RAM for publishing small extensions
- 32–64 GB RAM recommended for publishing large extensions
These are minimum/recommended deployment figures, not necessarily an ideal production sizing exercise. A production environment should be sized according to workload, users, extensions, database size, and concurrency.
Which .NET version is required?
Business Central Server requires:
- Microsoft .NET 10.0
- Microsoft .NET Framework 4.8
- Windows PowerShell 7.6 for the Business Central Administration Shell
The Business Central Web Server requires .NET 10.0 and IIS 10.
Which SQL Server versions and settings are important?
Business Central supports SQL Server database compatibility levels 160 and 170. The SQL Server instance must also have Full-text and Semantic Extractions for Search installed.
Business Central Setup can install SQL Server 2022 Express, including the required full-text and semantic search feature, when appropriate.
For production deployments, SQL Server sizing and edition should be planned separately from a simple demonstration installation.
What ports does Business Central use?
During setup, you need to define HTTP ports for the Business Central Server services. The documented defaults include:
| Service | Default port |
|---|---|
| Management Services | 7045 |
| Client Services | 7085 |
| SOAP Services | 7047 |
| OData Services | 7048 |
| Developer Services | 7049 |
If these ports are already occupied, choose alternative ports and make sure the firewall configuration matches your deployment.
How do you install Business Central 29 on-premises?
A typical demonstration installation follows this sequence:
- Prepare a supported Windows Server environment.
- Verify the hardware and software prerequisites.
- Install or enable IIS as required.
- Download the Business Central 29 on-premises installation media.
- Run
setup.exeas an administrator. - Select the required Business Central components.
- Configure the SQL Server database connection.
- Configure the Business Central Server instance.
- Configure the Web Server and Web Client.
- Configure service ports and authentication settings.
- Complete the installation.
- Open the Business Central Web Client and verify the deployment.
- Confirm that the Business Central Server instance and database are functioning correctly.
For a single-computer demonstration environment, the Business Central Web Server, Business Central Server, and SQL Server database components can be installed on the same machine.
What should you verify after installation?
After setup completes, don't stop at the installer saying that installation succeeded.
Verify:
- The Business Central Server service is running.
- The configured server instance is available.
- The database is accessible.
- The Web Client opens successfully.
- The expected tenant is mounted and accessible.
- The configured ports are listening.
- Authentication works as expected.
- The Business Central Administration Shell can connect.
- Development services are available if you plan to demonstrate AL development.
What should you show in a YouTube installation demo?
A useful video should show the complete journey rather than only clicking through Setup.
A practical sequence is:
1. Show the environment
Display the Windows Server version, CPU/RAM, available disk space, and SQL Server installation.
2. Explain the prerequisites
Briefly explain why IIS, .NET, PowerShell, and SQL Server matter before launching Setup.
3. Start Business Central Setup
Open the Business Central 29 installation media and launch setup.exe with administrator privileges.
4. Configure the installation
Walk through the selected components, database configuration, service account, server instance, and ports.
5. Complete the installation
Wait for Setup to finish and point out any prerequisite or configuration messages.
6. Open the Web Client
Use the configured Business Central Web Client URL and demonstrate a successful sign-in.
7. Validate the server
Show the Business Central Administration Shell or relevant Windows services and confirm that the server instance is operational.
What is the most important prerequisite mistake to avoid?
Don't begin the installation before checking the supported operating system, .NET requirements, SQL Server prerequisites, available disk space, RAM, IIS configuration, and required ports.
Also make sure that all Business Central components come from the same version and build. Mixing component versions can result in deployment problems.
FAQ
What version is Business Central 2026 release wave 2?
Business Central 2026 release wave 2 is version 29.0.
Can Business Central 29 be installed on Windows Server 2022?
Yes. Microsoft lists Windows Server 2022 Datacenter and Standard as supported operating systems for the Business Central Server and Web Server components.
How much RAM does Business Central Server require?
Microsoft lists 16 GB RAM for running the application. For publishing large extensions, 32–64 GB is recommended.
Which .NET version does Business Central 29 use?
The current Microsoft system-requirements documentation lists Microsoft .NET 10.0 for Business Central Server and Web Server components, with .NET Framework 4.8 also required for specific server functions.
Which SQL Server compatibility levels are supported?
Business Central supports SQL Server database compatibility levels 160 and 170.
Final Thoughts
Installing Business Central 29 on premises is straightforward when the environment is prepared first. The most important steps are validating the Microsoft prerequisites, installing the correct Business Central 29 media, configuring SQL Server and the Business Central Server, and then validating the Web Client and server services after installation.
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