MariaDB portable (zip, no privileges) installation guide

Summary

1. mysql_install_db --datadir=C:\path\to\db --password=rootpwd123
2. Start-Process -FilePath 'C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe' -ArgumentList '/c mysqld --defaults-file=path\to\db\my.ini --console'
3. mysql --user=root --password=rootpwd123

Create the database

To install MariaDB you first need to set the database

PS> C:\Users\lsilva46\Downloads\mariadb-10.7.3-winx64\bin\mysql_install_db.exe --datadir=C:\lucas\db --password=123

The datadir is the root dir of the database, and password with no user implies root user's password.

Start the Daemon (Server)

Then you start the daemon in a new CMD prompt:

PS> Start-Process -FilePath "C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe" `
	              -ArgumentList "/c C:\Users\lsilva46\Downloads\mariadb-10.7.3-winx64\bin\mysqld.exe --defaults-file=C:\lucas\db\my.ini --console"

As you started the daemon in another prompt, namely a CMD prompt, you have your terminal free to enter the next command.

With the daemon running, you can send SQL commands to it.

Run the client (if needed)

Now, if you need to interact with the DBMS, you must start the client with:

PS> C:\Users\lsilva46\Downloads\mariadb-10.7.3-winx64\bin\mysql.exe --user=root --password=123