SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for managing any SQL infrastructure, from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database. SSMS provides tools to configure, monitor, and administer instances of SQL Server and databases. Use SSMS to deploy, monitor, and upgrade the data-tier components used by your applications, and build queries and scripts.
Publisher’s description
What is Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio?
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio by Microsoft Corporation is proprietary Windows software in the databases category.
Installation and requirements
The publisher provides EXE (WiX Burn) installers for 64-bit Windows. The main installer is 513.6 MB. Installation asks for administrator rights. It needs Windows 10 or newer. A silent install is possible with the installer’s documented switches.
Updates and version history
The current version is 20.2.1, released on April 8, 2025. The version history goes back to January 30, 2017: 23 releases, all linked to the official files. That is about 2.8 releases a year. The last update is more than a year old.
Popularity and file types
On Windows it registers 1 file type, including .sql. Similar programs include MariaDB, HeidiSQL and SQLite.
Pros / Cons
Pros
- Documented silent install
Cons
- Proprietary licence: check the terms and price
- No native ARM64 build
- Installation needs administrator rights
- No update for more than a year
- Large download (513.6 MB)
In short: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is a database tool for 64-bit PCs. Updates have slowed down. Administrators can deploy it unattended.
Is Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio safe to download?
- The file is served by download.microsoft.com, the publisher’s own domain
- The download link uses HTTPS
- A SHA256 hash is published, so you can verify the file:
A297FAB7F73F196F4F2459118E5AA1494F0BC399AD8F9BB75A1D33EEF804F2F9· Open the VirusTotal report for this hash - The link answered when we last checked it (October 22, 2026)
- ExeAtlas does not host, wrap or modify installers
Related guide: How to check a file’s SHA256 hash on Windows
Recent versions
All 23 versions ›23 versions over 8 years · about 2.8 a year
| Version | Date | Size | Files |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20.2.1Latest | April 8, 2025 | 514.2 MB | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 20.2 | July 9, 2024 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 20.1 | April 9, 2024 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 20.0 | March 19, 2024 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 19.3 | January 10, 2024 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 19.2 | November 13, 2023 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 19.1 | May 24, 2023 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
| 19.0.2 | March 13, 2023 | — | 64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn)64-bit EXE (WiX Burn) |
Install from the command line
Silent install ›winget install --id Microsoft.SQLServerManagementStudio -eSSMS-Setup-DEU.exe /quiet /norestartmsiexec /x {B44525D8-2ABB-493E-8956-D6DC75CC1460} /qn /norestartRelated guide: How to use winget: install and update apps
Information
- Publisher
- Microsoft Corporation
- Category
- Databases
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Price
- See the publisher’s site
- Requires
- Windows 11 / 10 (Windows 10+)
- Architecture
- 64-bit
- Installer
- EXE (WiX Burn)
- Version
- 20.2.1
- Released
- April 8, 2025
- Added to the catalogue
- August 22, 2022
- Versions listed
- 23
- Updates / year
- 2.8
- Website
- learn.microsoft.com
- winget ID
- Microsoft.SQLServerManagementStudio
- MSI product code
- {b44525d8-2abb-493e-8956-d6dc75cc1460}
File types it opens (1)
Ratings and reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to rate it.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio free?
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio is proprietary (closed-source) software (licence: Proprietary). Whether it costs money depends on the edition: check the publisher’s site for prices and free tiers.
Is Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio safe to download?
The download comes from download.microsoft.com, which belongs to the publisher; ExeAtlas does not host or change the file. Compare its SHA256 hash with the one shown here, or open the VirusTotal report for that hash.
How do I install Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio with winget?
Open PowerShell or Windows Terminal and run the winget command shown on this page. winget downloads the official installer and checks its SHA256 hash before running it.
Can Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio be installed silently?
Yes. The silent install page lists the exact command for each installer.
Which Windows versions does Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio support?
The installer requires Windows 10 or newer and is available for 64-bit.
Does Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio run on ARM (Windows on Arm)?
There is no ARM64 build; Windows 11 on Arm can run the 64-bit version through emulation.
Where can I download an older version of Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio?
The versions page lists all 23 versions with links to their official installer files, back to January 30, 2017.
What are alternatives to Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio?
MariaDB, HeidiSQL, SQLite, Dolt and Beekeeper Studio. The alternatives page compares them.
