SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) stands as a cornerstone tool for anyone managing a Microsoft SQL Server infrastructure, whether it’s on-premises, in Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Synapse Analytics, or even the SQL analytics endpoint in Microsoft Fabric and Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric. This integrated environment empowers you with the capabilities to configure, monitor, and administer your SQL server instances and databases efficiently.
SSMS is your go-to solution for deploying, monitoring, and upgrading the essential data-tier components that power your applications. It also provides robust tools to build and execute queries and scripts, ensuring seamless interaction with your server data.
Whether your databases and data warehouses reside on your local machine or in the cloud, SSMS provides a unified platform to query, design, and manage them effectively. It simplifies complex server management tasks, making database administration more intuitive and streamlined.
For users seeking a cross-platform alternative to SSMS, especially when managing SQL and other Azure databases across diverse operating systems, Azure Data Studio offers a versatile solution.
Stay updated with the latest enhancements and features by exploring the Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2.
For those interested in preview features, Install SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview offers insights and download details for the upcoming version.
Get the Latest SSMS Version
Download SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2
Download the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2 for optimal server management.
SSMS 20.2 represents the most current and generally available (GA) release. If you have a preview version of SSMS 20 already installed, it’s crucial to uninstall it before proceeding with the installation of SSMS 20.2 to avoid conflicts. Notably, installing SSMS 20.2 will not automatically upgrade or replace any existing SSMS 19.x or earlier versions; it installs alongside them, allowing you to maintain multiple versions if needed.
- Release Number: 20.2
- Build Number: 20.2.30.0
- Release Date: July 9, 2024
By downloading and utilizing SQL Server Management Studio, you are agreeing to the associated license terms and privacy statement. Your feedback is invaluable; to share comments, suggestions, or report any issues, the SSMS Developer Community site is the most direct channel to connect with the SSMS team.
The installation process for SSMS 20.x is designed to be non-intrusive, meaning it won’t upgrade or remove previous installations of SSMS 19.x or older. This side-by-side installation allows you to have multiple versions of SSMS available on your system. However, if you’re upgrading from a prior preview release of SSMS 20, uninstallation of the preview version is necessary before installing the latest GA release. You can easily verify if you have a preview version installed by checking the Help > About section within SSMS.
In environments with multiple SSMS installations, it’s essential to ensure you launch the correct version tailored to your specific server management tasks. The latest version is clearly identified as Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio v20.2.
Important Note:
For users of SQL Server Management Studio versions 18.7 through 19.3, Azure Data Studio was automatically bundled with SSMS. This integration allowed SSMS users to leverage the innovative features of Azure Data Studio, a cross-platform and open-source tool designed for cloud, on-premises, and hybrid server environments. This bundling is not present in SSMS 20.0 and later versions.
To delve deeper into Azure Data Studio and its capabilities, explore What is Azure Data Studio or consult the FAQ.
Language Options
SSMS 20.2 offers broad language support, allowing you to work in your preferred language environment.
SQL Server Management Studio 20.2 is available in:
If you are accessing this page in a non-English language and wish to view the most current content, simply select Read in English located at the top of the page. For downloading SSMS in different languages, refer to the available languages section.
Note:
The SQL Server PowerShell module is distributed separately via the PowerShell Gallery. For detailed installation instructions, see Install the SQL Server PowerShell module.
What’s New in SSMS 20.2?
For a comprehensive overview of the enhancements and new features incorporated in this release, refer to the Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Understanding these updates will help you maximize the efficiency of your server management workflows.
Accessing Previous SSMS Versions
This guide primarily focuses on the latest SSMS version. If you need to download earlier versions of SSMS, you can find them at Previous SSMS releases. Access to older versions can be crucial for maintaining compatibility with legacy server environments.
Note:
As of December 2021, SSMS versions prior to 18.6 no longer support authentication to Database Engines using Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication (MFA). To continue utilizing MFA for secure server access, it is necessary to upgrade to SSMS 18.6 or later.
Connectivity to Azure Analysis Services through Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication also requires SSMS 18.5.1 or later to ensure secure and compliant server interactions.
Performing Unattended Installations
For automated server deployments and configurations, SSMS supports unattended installations via PowerShell.
Follow these steps to conduct a silent SSMS installation without any graphical user interface prompts:
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Launch PowerShell with administrator privileges.
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Execute the following command structure, customizing the paths as needed:
$media_path = "<path to SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe file>" $install_path = "<desired SSMS installation root location>" $params = " /Install /Quiet SSMSInstallRoot=$install_path" Start-Process -FilePath $media_path -ArgumentList $params -WaitExample:
$media_path = "C:InstallersSSMS-Setup-ENU.exe" $install_path = "$env:SystemDriveSSMSto" $params = "/Install /Quiet SSMSInstallRoot=`"$install_path`"" Start-Process -FilePath $media_path -ArgumentList $params -WaitAlternatively, replace
/Quietwith/Passiveto display the setup UI during installation. -
Upon successful installation, SSMS will be located at %systemdrive%SSMStoCommon7IDESsms.exe based on the example paths. For troubleshooting, examine the error code and consult the installation log file in
%TEMP%SSMSSetup.
Uninstalling SSMS
When uninstalling SSMS, be aware that certain shared components installed alongside SSMS, if they were missing initially, are not automatically removed.
These shared components include:
- Microsoft OLE DB Driver 18 for SQL Server
- Microsoft ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable (x86)
- Microsoft Visual C++ 2017 Redistributable (x64)
- Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Applications 2019
These components are intentionally retained because they may be shared with other applications on your server. Uninstalling them could potentially disrupt the functionality of other software. Manage these components separately if removal is necessary.
Azure Data Studio Integration Details
- For SSMS versions 18.7 through 19.3, Azure Data Studio was integrated and installed by default. This is not the case for SSMS 20.0 and later.
- If a compatible or newer version of Azure Data Studio is already present on the system, the SSMS installer will skip the Azure Data Studio installation to prevent redundancy.
- The Azure Data Studio version bundled with specific SSMS releases is detailed in the release notes.
- The Azure Data Studio installer adheres to the same security permissions as the SSMS installer, ensuring consistent security practices.
- Azure Data Studio is installed with its default settings, which include creating a Start Menu folder and adding Azure Data Studio to the system PATH environment variable. A desktop shortcut is not created, and file type associations are not configured by default.
- Localization for Azure Data Studio is managed through Language Pack extensions. To localize Azure Data Studio, install the appropriate language pack from the extension marketplace.
- In SSMS versions 18.7 through 19.3, the Azure Data Studio installation can be bypassed by launching the SSMS installer with the command-line flag
DoNotInstallAzureDataStudio=1. This provides flexibility for users who do not require Azure Data Studio or prefer to manage its installation separately.
Supported SQL Server Offerings
- This SSMS version is compatible with SQL Server 2014 (12.x) and later versions, providing optimal support for the latest cloud-based features in Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Microsoft Fabric. This ensures you can manage both legacy and modern server environments effectively.
- SSMS 20.x can coexist with SSMS 19.x, SSMS 18.x, SSMS 17.x, and SSMS 16.x, offering flexibility in managing different SQL Server versions from a single workstation.
- For SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SSMS 17.x and later versions do not support connections to the legacy SQL Server Integration Services service. To manage older Integration Services versions, use the SSMS version that aligns with the SQL Server version. For instance, SSMS 16.x is required to connect to legacy SQL Server 2016 (13.x) Integration Services. SSMS 17.x and SSMS 16.x can be installed concurrently on the same machine. For modern SSIS management since SQL Server 2012 (11.x), the SSIS Catalog database (SSISDB) is the recommended approach for storing, managing, running, and monitoring SSIS packages. Refer to SSIS Catalog for more details on modern SSIS server management practices.
SSMS System Requirements
The current SSMS release is designed for 64-bit platforms and requires the latest service packs for optimal performance and compatibility.
Supported Operating Systems:
- Windows 11 (x64)
- Windows 10 (x64) version 1607 (10.0.14393) and later
- Windows Server 2022 (x64)
- Windows Server Core 2022 (x64)
- Windows Server 2019 (x64)
- Windows Server Core 2019 (x64)
- Windows Server 2016 (x64) 1
1 SSMS requires .NET Framework 4.7.2. Ensure this prerequisite is met for successful installation and operation on these server operating systems.
Additional Requirements:
- Administrator rights are necessary to install or update SSMS.
- Running SSMS within a virtual machine environment necessitates a full Windows operating system installation.
- Windows containers are not supported environments for SSMS.
- SSMS is not compatible with application virtualization solutions like Microsoft App-V, MSIX for Windows, or any third-party application virtualization technologies.
Note:
To install SSMS on Windows Server Core, the Server Core App Compatibility Feature on Demand must be installed beforehand. This feature ensures the necessary components are available for SSMS to function correctly in a Server Core environment.
Supported Hardware:
- Processor: 1.8 GHz or faster x86 (Intel, AMD). Dual-core or better is recommended for enhanced performance.
- RAM: 2 GB of RAM minimum; 4 GB recommended for optimal performance, especially in demanding server management scenarios. A minimum of 2.5 GB of RAM is required if running within a virtual machine.
- Hard Disk Space: Minimum of 3 GB up to 10 GB of free disk space, depending on the features installed and server environment complexity.
Note:
SSMS is exclusively available as a 32-bit application for Windows. For server management tools that support operating systems beyond Windows, Azure Data Studio is the recommended alternative. Visit Azure Data Studio for more information on cross-platform server management solutions.
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