How to install MariaDB client on Windows

Installing the MariaDB client on Windows enables secure, direct access to remote MariaDB (and compatible MySQL) servers for administration, troubleshooting, and ad-hoc querying without running a local database service.

The client installation provides command-line utilities such as mysql.exe (interactive SQL shell) and tools like mysqldump.exe (logical backups) that connect to a server over TCP using a host name (or IP address), a port (commonly 3306), and a database account.

A client-only install is preferable for workstations, but the Windows installer may also offer server components; selecting only client tools prevents unwanted Windows services and avoids local data directories. Network reachability (VPN/firewall rules), account privileges, and safe credential handling still determine whether connections succeed, so password prompts are safer than embedding passwords in commands.

1. Open the official MariaDB downloads page in a browser.

   https://mariadb.org/download/

2. Select the Windows download option for the MariaDB Community Server .msi package.

   Most modern systems use the 64-bit (x64) installer.

3. Download the installer to a local folder.
4. Run the downloaded .msi installer.
5. Choose the setup type that allows selecting individual features.
6. Select only the client tools and command-line utilities in the feature list.

   Installing server features can create a local Windows service and consume disk space for local database files.

7. Enable the option that adds the client bin directory to the system PATH when offered.

   If the installer does not offer a PATH option, commands can still be run by using the full path to mysql.exe (commonly under C:\Program Files\MariaDB*\bin).

8. Complete the installation wizard.
9. Open Command Prompt.
10. Confirm the client is available on the PATH.

    C:\> where mysql
    C:\Program Files\MariaDB 11.4\bin\mysql.exe

    If where mysql returns nothing, open a new terminal after PATH changes or run mysql.exe using its full path.

11. Connect to the remote MariaDB server using host and username.

    C:\> mysql --host=192.168.1.10 --user=admin_user --password
    Enter password: ********
    Welcome to the MariaDB monitor.  Commands end with ; or \g.
    Your MariaDB connection id is 10
    Server version: 11.4.2-MariaDB MariaDB Server
    MariaDB [(none)]>

    Avoid --password=secret on the command line, since it can leak via process listings and shell history.

12. Verify the session by querying the server version.

    MariaDB [(none)]> SELECT VERSION();
    +-------------------------+
    | VERSION()               |
    +-------------------------+
    | 11.4.2-MariaDB-log      |
    +-------------------------+
    1 row in set (0.00 sec)

13. Exit the client session.

    MariaDB [(none)]> quit
    Bye