What is SSMS?
SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an integrated environment for managing any Microsoft SQL Server infrastructure, from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database.
It provides tools to query, design, and manage your databases and data warehouses, wherever they are – on your local computer or in the cloud.
How to download installation media ISO
SSMS 20.2 is the latest general availability (GA) version of SSMS.
You can download it here Microsoft SSMS download.
For details and more information about what’s new in this release, see SSMS release notes.
Hardware requirements
- 1.8 GHz or faster x86 (Intel, AMD) processor. Dual-core or better recommended.
- 2 GB of RAM; 4 GB of RAM recommended (2.5 GB minimum if running on a virtual machine).
- Hard disk space: Minimum of 2 GB up to 10 GB of available space.
SSMS supports Microsoft Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows servers 2008R2 and earlier versions.
How to install the SQL Server Management Studio
Over time, you’ll learn that running SSMS on the SQL Server itself will slow it down.
Thus, install it on your local machine (desktop or laptop) by following these steps:
- Once you download it, you will get an .exe file named SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe.
Double-click on it. - The window below will appear. Change the destination path if you want and click on Install. The installation will begin and show Package Progress and Overall Progress.
- Once Completed, SSMS Setup will show the screen with the “Setup Completed” message.
If you already have a version of SSMS, the installer will automatically update it to the latest version.
It does not matter what version of SQL Server you’re running in production since you’re running a supported SQL Server version.
