- Download SSMS only from Microsoft: the "Install SQL Server Management Studio" page on Microsoft Learn links the SSMS 22 bootstrapper, vs_SSMS.exe.
- SSMS 22 needs 64-bit Windows 11 or Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025 (x64 or Arm64), administrator rights, at least 4 GB of RAM and 4 GB to 50 GB of disk space depending on the components you choose.
- Run vs_SSMS.exe, accept the licence terms, optionally pick workloads such as Business Intelligence or Code tools, and select Install.
- SSMS 22 manages SQL Server 2014 and later, Azure SQL and SQL database in Fabric, and can be installed side by side with SSMS 21 and earlier.
SSMS download: where to get the official installer
The only official SSMS download is on Microsoft Learn: open the page Install SQL Server Management Studio (learn.microsoft.com/ssms/install/install) and select Download SQL Server Management Studio 22 installer. It saves a stub installer, or bootstrapper, called vs_SSMS.exe to your Downloads folder. Microsoft states there is no standalone MSI: the bootstrapper installs the Visual Studio Installer, which then installs SSMS. SSMS is free; see Is SSMS free? in the related guides below.
The current release is SSMS 22.10.2, dated 28 September 2026. If you need a specific older build, the Release history page on Microsoft Learn has bootstrappers for earlier versions. Avoid third-party download sites.
System requirements for SSMS 22
Check these before you start. Note that the SSMS FAQ still summarises the operating system as "Windows 10 or later", but the more detailed SSMS 22 system requirements page lists Windows 11 as the minimum client version; follow the requirements page.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Operating system | 64-bit Windows 11 (Home, Pro, Enterprise, Education and others, including Arm64), Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025 (Standard and Datacenter) |
| Not supported | 32-bit and Arm32 Windows, Windows in S mode, LTSC and IoT editions, Windows containers, app virtualisation such as App-V or MSIX, and multi-user hosts such as shared VDI |
| Processor and memory | x64 or Arm64 processor (quad-core recommended); 4 GB RAM minimum, 16 GB recommended |
| Disk space | 4 GB minimum, up to 50 GB depending on components; typical installs need 20 GB to 50 GB |
| Display | 1366 x 768 minimum; 1920 x 1080 or higher works best |
| Other | Administrator rights; .NET Framework 4.8 to run (setup installs it if missing) |
| Database versions | SQL Server 2014 (12.x) and later, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure Synapse Analytics, SQL database in Microsoft Fabric |
How to install SSMS, step by step
Microsoft's walkthrough, in order:
- Prepare the computer. Sign in with an account that has administrator permissions, apply the latest Windows updates, restart to clear pending installs, and free up space on the system drive.
- Run the bootstrapper. From your Downloads folder, double-click
vs_SSMS.exe. If User Account Control asks, choose Yes. - Accept the terms. A dialog asks you to acknowledge the Microsoft Privacy Statement and the Microsoft Software License Terms. Choose Continue. The Visual Studio Installer opens.
- Choose workloads (optional). On the Workloads tab, select any extras you need (see the table below), then select Install. Status screens show progress.
- Choose individual components (optional). The Individual components tab lets you add single components instead of whole workloads.
- Language packs (optional). The installer matches the Windows language by default; pick another on the Language packs tab.
- Installation location (optional). You can put SSMS and the download cache on another drive, but only during the first install; changing it later means uninstalling and reinstalling.
- Sign in (optional). Signing in is not required; it syncs settings across devices.
| Workload | What it adds |
|---|---|
| AI Assistance | GitHub Copilot in SSMS (not installed by default) |
| Business Intelligence | Analysis Services, Integration Services and Reporting Services management, including the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard |
| Code tools | Git integration, the Query Hint Recommendation Tool, and offline documentation |
| Database DevOps | SQL database projects, with optional Git integration |
| Hybrid and Migration | The Assessment and Migration Assistant |
Silent and scripted installs
For several machines, Microsoft documents command-line parameters for vs_SSMS.exe. All of them need an elevated prompt. --passive shows progress without prompts; --quiet shows nothing. Workload IDs such as Microsoft.SqlServer.Workload.SSMS.BI come from the Workload and component IDs page. For machines without internet access, Microsoft documents an offline layout with --layout.
vs_SSMS.exe --installPath C:\SSMS22 --passive --norestartvs_SSMS.exe --add Microsoft.SqlServer.Workload.SSMS.BI --includeRecommended --passive --norestartvs_SSMS.exe --locale en-USUpdate, repair or uninstall SSMS
Update. Close SSMS first. Open Visual Studio Installer from the Start menu, find the SSMS 22 installation and choose Update when an update is available. SSMS also shows an update message on start-up, where you can update now or choose Update on Close. Only the latest release receives fixes, so keep it current. The scripted equivalent is vs_SSMS.exe update --passive --norestart --installPath "C:\SSMS22".
Uninstall. In the Visual Studio Installer, find the SSMS version, choose More, then Uninstall. Microsoft suggests trying the repair option first if SSMS is misbehaving. SSMS 22 can run side by side with SSMS 21, 20, 19, 18, 17 and 16, so you do not have to remove an older version first.
Connect for the first time
The first time SSMS starts, the Connect to Server window opens (otherwise use Object Explorer > Connect > Database Engine). Enter the server name, or localhost for a local default instance; a named instance needs server\instance. Windows Authentication is the default; SQL Server Authentication needs a login and password. The Encrypt setting defaults to Mandatory, and Trust Server Certificate is off by default; turning it on bypasses certificate validation, which Microsoft presents as the less secure choice.
If the login fails, see SQL Server error 18456; if the database you name does not open, see error 4064. New to T-SQL? The SQL beginner course starts from the first query.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the official SSMS download?
On Microsoft Learn, on the page "Install SQL Server Management Studio". The link downloads vs_SSMS.exe, a bootstrapper that opens the Visual Studio Installer. Older builds are on the Release history page.
Is there an SSMS offline installer or MSI?
There is no standalone MSI for SSMS 22. For disconnected machines, Microsoft documents creating an offline layout with vs_SSMS.exe --layout and installing from it.
Does SSMS 22 run on Windows 10?
The SSMS 22 system requirements page lists 64-bit Windows 11 and Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 as supported. Windows 10 is not in that list, although the shorter FAQ still says "Windows 10 or later". Plan on Windows 11 or a supported Windows Server.
Do I need to install Visual Studio first?
No. The bootstrapper installs the Visual Studio Installer for you, and Microsoft states SSMS does not require any edition of Visual Studio. If Visual Studio is already installed, SSMS goes into a separate location.
Can I install SSMS 22 next to SSMS 20 or 21?
Yes. Microsoft states SSMS 22 can be installed alongside SSMS 21.x, 20.x, 19.x, 18.x, 17.x and 16.x.
Does SSMS install SQL Server?
No. SSMS is only the management tool. Install a SQL Server edition (Express or Developer for learning) separately, or connect to an existing server or Azure SQL database.
Sources
- Microsoft Learn: Install SQL Server Management Studio
- Microsoft Learn: SSMS system requirements
- Microsoft Learn: SSMS 22 release notes
- Microsoft Learn: Workload and component IDs for SSMS
- Microsoft Learn: Command-line parameter examples for SSMS installation
- Microsoft Learn: Update SQL Server Management Studio
- Microsoft Learn: Uninstall or remove SQL Server Management Studio
- Microsoft Learn: SSMS FAQ
- Microsoft Learn: Quickstart, connect and query SQL Server with SSMS
- Microsoft Learn: Components and features in SSMS
Checked 8 October 2026.
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