SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Download: Your Comprehensive Guide

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) stands as the bedrock for managing your entire SQL infrastructure, seamlessly bridging on-premises SQL Servers to cloud-based Azure SQL Databases. This integrated environment empowers you with a robust suite of tools to configure, monitor, and administer every facet of your SQL Server instances and databases. Whether you’re deploying new data-tier components, meticulously monitoring performance, or orchestrating upgrades, SSMS is your go-to solution. It also provides an intuitive interface to build intricate queries and scripts, making data manipulation and analysis straightforward.

SSMS is designed to be versatile, enabling you to effortlessly query, design, and manage your databases and data warehouses, regardless of their location. Work seamlessly whether your data resides on your local machine or distributed across the cloud.

For professionals seeking a cross-platform alternative to SSMS, especially for managing SQL and diverse Azure databases, Azure Data Studio offers a compelling solution.

To delve deeper into the latest enhancements and features incorporated in this release, explore the Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2.

For those interested in the cutting edge, download details for SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview 1 are available in Install SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview.

Get Started: SQL Server Management Studio Download

Download SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20.2

SSMS 20.2 represents the most current Generally Available (GA) version. If you’re currently running a preview version of SSMS 20, it’s crucial to uninstall it before proceeding with the installation of SSMS 20.2. It’s important to note that 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.

• Version Number: 20.2
• Build Number: 20.2.30.0
• Release Date: July 9, 2024

By downloading and utilizing SQL Server Management Studio, you inherently agree to the associated license terms and privacy statement. For any feedback, suggestions, or issue reporting, the SSMS Developer Community site is the most effective channel to connect directly with the SSMS team.

The installation process for SSMS 20.x is designed to be non-intrusive, meaning it won’t upgrade or remove any previous SSMS 19.x or earlier installations. SSMS 20.x is designed to coexist with older versions, ensuring you can access any version as needed. However, if you’ve previously installed a preview release of SSMS 20, you must uninstall it before installing the latest SSMS 20 release to avoid conflicts. You can easily verify if you have a preview version installed by navigating to the Help > About section within SSMS.

When multiple SSMS versions are installed side-by-side, always double-check that you are launching the correct version for your intended task. 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 is automatically installed alongside SSMS. This integration allows SSMS users to leverage the innovative features and advancements present in Azure Data Studio, a versatile cross-platform and open-source tool suitable for cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.

To gain a deeper understanding of Azure Data Studio, refer to What is Azure Data Studio or consult the FAQ.

Language Options for SSMS Download

This SSMS release offers broad language support, catering to a global user base.

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

If you’re 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. To download SSMS in different languages, please refer to the available languages section, typically accessible during the installation process.

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 the Latest SSMS Download?

To stay informed about the newest features, improvements, and bug fixes in this SSMS release, consult the comprehensive Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). This document provides a detailed overview of all changes.

Accessing Previous SSMS Versions

This guide focuses on the latest SSMS version. To download and utilize older versions of SSMS, please visit Previous SSMS releases. This section provides links to downloads of earlier versions, if needed for specific compatibility requirements.

Important Compatibility Update:

As of December 2021, SSMS versions prior to 18.6 no longer support authentication to Database Engines using Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication (MFA). To maintain MFA functionality, it’s essential to upgrade to SSMS 18.6 or later.

Connectivity to Azure Analysis Services via Microsoft Entra multifactor authentication also mandates SSMS 18.5.1 or later. Ensure your SSMS version meets these requirements for seamless and secure authentication.

Unattended Installation of SSMS

For automated deployments and streamlined installations, SSMS supports unattended installation via PowerShell.

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

1. Initiate PowerShell with administrator privileges.

2. Execute the following command, customizing the paths as necessary:

   $media_path = "<path to SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe file location>"
   $install_path = "<root location where SSMS files will be installed>"
   $params = " /Install /Quiet SSMSInstallRoot=$install_path"
   Start-Process -FilePath $media_path -ArgumentList $params -Wait

   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 a basic setup UI during installation.

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

Uninstalling SQL Server Management Studio

SSMS installation may include shared components if they are not already present on the system. However, these shared components are not automatically removed when you uninstall SSMS.

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 utilized by other applications on your system. Removing them could potentially disrupt the functionality of other software. You will need to uninstall these components separately if desired.

Azure Data Studio Integration with SSMS

• SSMS versions 18.7 through 19.3 include Azure Data Studio as part of their default installation. However, SSMS 20.0 and later versions do not automatically install Azure Data Studio.
  • If a compatible or newer version of Azure Data Studio is already installed, the SSMS installer will skip the Azure Data Studio installation to avoid redundancy.
  • The specific Azure Data Studio version bundled with SSMS is detailed in the release notes.
• The Azure Data Studio installer operates under the same security permission requirements as the SSMS installer.
• 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 Azure Data Studio is not set as the default editor for any file types by the SSMS installer.
• Azure Data Studio localization 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, you can bypass the Azure Data Studio installation by launching the SSMS installer with the command-line flag DoNotInstallAzureDataStudio=1. This is useful in scenarios where Azure Data Studio is not required or will be installed separately.

Compatibility with SQL Server Offerings

• This SSMS version is compatible with SQL Server 2014 (12.x) and all subsequent versions, including the latest releases. It provides optimized support for leveraging the newest cloud capabilities within 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, offering flexibility in managing different SQL Server environments.
• 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, utilize the SSMS version that aligns with the SQL Server version. For example, SSMS 16.x is appropriate for connecting to legacy SQL Server 2016 (13.x) Integration Services. Note that SSMS 17.x and SSMS 16.x can coexist on the same machine. Since SQL Server 2012 (11.x), the SSIS Catalog database (SSISDB) is the recommended approach for managing, storing, running, and monitoring SSIS packages. Refer to SSIS Catalog for more information.

SSMS System Requirements

The current SSMS release is designed for 64-bit platforms and requires the latest service packs for optimal performance.

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 before installation.

Additional System Requirements:

• Administrator privileges are necessary for SSMS installation and updates.
• 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 any third-party app virtualization technologies.

Note:

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

Recommended Hardware:

• Processor: 1.8 GHz or faster x86 (Intel, AMD). Dual-core or better is recommended for enhanced performance.
• Memory: 2 GB of RAM minimum; 4 GB RAM is recommended (2.5 GB minimum in a virtual machine environment).
• Hard Disk Space: 3 GB to 10 GB of available disk space, depending on installed features.

Note:

SSMS is provided as a 32-bit application for Windows only. For cross-platform database management, consider using Azure Data Studio, which offers multi-OS support. Visit Azure Data Studio for further details.

Need Help with SQL Tools?

For comprehensive assistance and troubleshooting related to SQL tools and SSMS, Microsoft provides various resources:

• Microsoft SQL Docs: The official documentation site is an invaluable resource for detailed information and tutorials.
• SQL Server Community Forums: Engage with other SQL Server professionals and experts in the community forums.
• Microsoft Support: For critical issues, Microsoft Support provides direct assistance.

Related Resources

• Azure Data Studio Download
• SQL Server Downloads
• SSMS Release Notes

Contribute to SQL Documentation

Did you know you can contribute to the official SQL documentation? By contributing, you not only improve the documentation for the community but also receive recognition as a contributor.

For details on how to participate, see Edit Microsoft Learn documentation. Your contributions help keep the SQL documentation accurate and up-to-date.

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