The Developer Edition includes all features of the Enterprise Edition, with no functional limitations. This makes it ideal for:
SQL Server 2012 Developer Edition remains a viable option for specific scenarios:
Select Mixed Mode (SQL Server authentication and Windows authentication) . This allows you to log in using your Windows account or a traditional sa (System Administrator) password.
: Confirm sufficient free space on your target drive (minimum 2.2 GB, though 5-10 GB is recommended for full installation with sample databases).