Download MSSQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for Optimal Server Management

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics SQL analytics endpoint in Microsoft Fabric Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is the cornerstone for administrators and developers working with Mssql Servers. This powerful, integrated environment provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to manage your entire SQL infrastructure, from on-premises SQL Server instances to cloud-based Azure SQL Databases. SSMS empowers you to configure, monitor, and administer your MSSQL server environments effectively, ensuring optimal performance and availability. Whether you need to deploy and manage data-tier components, build complex queries, or automate administrative tasks with scripts, SSMS is your go-to solution for MSSQL server management.

With SSMS, you gain the flexibility to query, design, and manage databases and data warehouses regardless of their location. Connect to your MSSQL servers whether they reside on your local machine, across your enterprise network, or in the cloud, all from a unified interface. This centralized management capability streamlines workflows and enhances productivity for anyone working with MSSQL server technologies.

For users who require cross-platform compatibility alongside the robust features of SSMS, Azure Data Studio offers a complementary solution for managing SQL and other Azure databases.

For in-depth information on the latest enhancements and features included in this release, refer to the Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2.

For details and download information about SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview 1, see Install SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview

Get the Latest SSMS Download

Download SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2

SSMS 20.2 represents the most recent Generally Available (GA) version, ensuring stability and reliability for production environments. If you are currently running a preview version of SSMS 20, it is recommended to uninstall it prior to installing SSMS 20.2 to avoid potential conflicts. Importantly, installing SSMS 20.2 will not upgrade or replace any existing SSMS 19.x or earlier versions, allowing you to maintain multiple versions side-by-side 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 valuable to the SSMS development team. To share comments, suggestions, or report any issues, please visit the dedicated SSMS Developer Community site.

SSMS 20.x installations are designed to coexist with previous versions of the tool. This means that SSMS 20.x will install alongside SSMS 19.x and earlier versions without overwriting them, providing flexibility in using different versions as required. However, users with earlier preview builds of SSMS 20 must uninstall the preview version before installing the GA release to ensure a clean and stable installation. You can easily check for preview versions by navigating to the Help > About window within SSMS.

When multiple SSMS installations are present on a single computer, it’s crucial to verify that you are launching the intended version for your current task. The latest version, SSMS 20.2, is clearly labeled as Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio v20.2.

Important

Starting with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) versions 18.7 through 19.3, Azure Data Studio is automatically included during the SSMS installation process. This integration allows SQL Server Management Studio users to take advantage of the innovative features and cross-platform capabilities offered by Azure Data Studio. Azure Data Studio serves as a versatile, open-source desktop tool suitable for managing your MSSQL server environments whether they are cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid deployments.

To explore Azure Data Studio further, consult What is Azure Data Studio or the FAQ.

Language Options for SSMS

This version of SSMS offers broad language support to cater to a global user base:

SQL Server Management Studio 20.2 is available in the following languages.

If you are accessing this page in a non-English language and wish to view the most current information, select Read in English located at the top of the page. To download SSMS in different languages, select available languages.

Note

The SQL Server PowerShell module is distributed separately through the PowerShell Gallery. For detailed instructions on installation, see Install the SQL Server PowerShell module.

What’s New in SSMS 20.2?

For detailed insights into the new features, improvements, and bug fixes included in this release, refer to the Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Accessing Previous SSMS Versions

This article specifically addresses the latest SSMS version. To download prior releases of SSMS, please visit Previous SSMS releases.

Note

As of December 2021, SSMS versions older than 18.6 no longer support authentication to Database Engines using Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication (MFA). To continue utilizing MFA, you must upgrade to SSMS 18.6 or later.

Connectivity to Azure Analysis Services via Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication necessitates SSMS 18.5.1 or later.

Silent Installation of SSMS

SSMS can be installed in an unattended mode using PowerShell, ideal for automated deployments.

Follow these steps to perform a silent, background installation of SSMS without any graphical user interface prompts:

Launch PowerShell with administrator privileges.

Execute the following command, adjusting the paths as necessary:

 $media_path = "<path to SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe file>"
 $install_path = "<desired root installation location for SSMS>"
 $params = " /Install /Quiet SSMSInstallRoot=$install_path"
 Start-Process -FilePath $media_path -ArgumentList $params -Wait

For example:

 $media_path = "C:InstallersSSMS-Setup-ENU.exe"
 $install_path = "$env:SystemDriveSSMSto"
 $params = "/Install /Quiet SSMSInstallRoot=`"$install_path`""
 Start-Process -FilePath $media_path -ArgumentList $params -Wait

Alternatively, replace /Quiet with /Passive to display the setup UI during installation while still automating the process.

Upon successful installation, SSMS will be located at %systemdrive%SSMStoCommon7IDESsms.exe based on the example paths. In case of installation errors, examine the returned error code and consult the log file located in %TEMP%SSMSSetup for troubleshooting information.

Uninstalling SSMS

During SSMS installation, certain shared components may be installed if they are not already present on the system. When you uninstall SSMS, these shared components are not automatically removed.

The 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 not uninstalled automatically because they might be shared with other applications. Uninstalling them could potentially cause other software to malfunction.

Azure Data Studio Integration with SSMS Installation

SSMS versions 18.7 through 19.3 include Azure Data Studio as part of their default installation package. However, SSMS 20.0 and later versions do not include Azure Data Studio in their installation.
- If a compatible or newer version of Azure Data Studio is already installed on the system, the SSMS installer will skip the Azure Data Studio installation.
- The specific version of Azure Data Studio bundled with SSMS is detailed in the release notes.
The Azure Data Studio installer requires the same level of security permissions as the SSMS installer.
Azure Data Studio is installed using 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 Azure Data Studio is not set as the default editor for any file types.
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.
For SSMS versions 18.7 through 19.3, the installation of Azure Data Studio can be bypassed by launching the SSMS installer with the command-line flag DoNotInstallAzureDataStudio=1.

MSSQL Server Offerings Supported by SSMS

This SSMS version is compatible with SQL Server 2014 (12.x) and later versions, offering optimal support for the latest cloud-based features in Azure SQL Database, Azure Synapse Analytics, and Microsoft Fabric.
Furthermore, SSMS 20.x can be installed alongside SSMS 19.x, SSMS 18.x, SSMS 17.x, and SSMS 16.x, providing flexibility for managing different SQL Server environments.
For SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SSMS 17.x and subsequent versions do not support connections to the legacy SQL Server Integration Services service. To manage earlier legacy Integration Services versions, use the SSMS version that aligns with the SQL Server version. For instance, use SSMS 16.x to connect to the legacy SQL Server 2016 (13.x) Integration Services service. Note that SSMS 17.x and SSMS 16.x can be installed concurrently on the same machine. Since SQL Server 2012 (11.x), the SSIS Catalog database (SSISDB) is the recommended approach for storing, managing, running, and monitoring Integration Services packages. Refer to SSIS Catalog for comprehensive details.

SSMS System Requirements

The current SSMS release supports the following 64-bit operating systems when used with the latest available service packs:

Supported Operating Systems:

Windows 11 (x64)
Windows 10 (x64) version 1607 (10.0.14393) and later versions
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.

Additional Requirements:

Administrator privileges are necessary to install or update SSMS.
Running SSMS within a virtual machine environment necessitates a full Windows operating system.
Windows containers are not supported for SSMS.
SSMS is not supported in application virtualization environments like Microsoft App-V, MSIX for Windows, or other third-party application virtualization technologies.

Note

To install SSMS on Windows Server Core, the Server Core App Compatibility Feature on Demand must be installed.

Supported Hardware:

Processor: 1.8 GHz or faster x86 (Intel, AMD) processor. Dual-core or better is recommended for optimal performance.
Memory: 2 GB of RAM minimum; 4 GB of RAM recommended (2.5 GB minimum if running in a virtual machine).
Hard Disk Space: Minimum of 3 GB up to 10 GB of free disk space required.

Note

SSMS is distributed exclusively as a 32-bit application for Windows. For users requiring a tool that operates on operating systems other than Windows, Azure Data Studio is recommended. Visit Azure Data Studio for further information.

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