The SQL Server Management Studio download is free from Microsoft, and it installs SSMS 22 on Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs in a few minutes. You download a small file called vs_SSMS.exe , run it, and the Visual Studio Installer sets up the rest.
SSMS manages SQL Server 2014 and later, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL database in Microsoft Fabric from one window. The same installer covers Intel, AMD and Arm64 PCs.
This guide covers the official download, installation, an offline installer, the tool to use on a Mac, updates and install fixes.
Which SSMS download do you need?
Match your situation to a row. Most people need only the first one.
| Your situation | What to install | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 PC, Intel, AMD or Arm64 | SSMS 22 (vs_SSMS.exe, about 5.4 MB stub) | Install SQL Server Management Studio |
| Windows Server 2019, 2022 or 2025 | SSMS 22, same installer | Install SQL Server Management Studio |
| A server or PC with no internet access | SSMS 22 offline layout built with vs_SSMS.exe | Create an offline installation |
| You connect to the legacy SQL Server 2022 Integration Services service | SSMS 20.2 or 19.3 | SSMS release history |
| Mac with Apple Silicon or Intel, or a Linux PC | MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code | MSSQL extension overview |
Check the SSMS system requirements and specifications
SSMS 22 is built on Visual Studio 2026, so it needs far more disk space than the small download suggests. Plan for 20 GB to 50 GB on a typical install.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Developer | Microsoft Corporation |
| Latest version | 22.10.0, released September 8, 2026 |
| Licence | Free for personal and enterprise use |
| Download size | Approx. 5.4 MB bootstrapper (vs_SSMS.exe) |
| Disk space | 4 GB minimum, up to 50 GB depending on components |
| Supported Windows | 64-bit Windows 11 including Arm64 editions; Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025 |
| Architecture | 64-bit only: x64 and Arm64. No 32-bit or Arm32 build |
| Processor | x64 processor, quad-core or better recommended |
| Memory | 4 GB minimum, 16 GB recommended |
| .NET | .NET Framework 4.7.2 to install, 4.8 to run (setup adds it) |
| Manages | SQL Server 2014 to SQL Server 2025, Azure SQL, Azure Synapse, Fabric |
| Offline installer | Yes, as a local layout. No standalone MSI |
| macOS or Linux | No |
| Official source | learn.microsoft.com |
| Last verified | 2026-09-13 |
Windows in S mode, Enterprise LTSC editions and IoT editions are not supported.
Download SQL Server Management Studio from Microsoft
Microsoft publishes SSMS only through Microsoft Learn and its own download servers. The install page carries the Download the SQL Server Management Studio 22 installer link, which always fetches the newest release.
- Install SQL Server Management Studio, official download page — SSMS 22 installer, vs_SSMS.exe
- SSMS 22 release notes — every release with its date
- SSMS release history — fixed bootstrappers for earlier 22.x releases and SSMS 21, 20, 19, 18
- SSMS system requirements
- Create an offline installation of SSMS
To confirm which version a downloaded file installs, right-click vs_SSMS.exe , choose Properties > Details, and read Product version. A file from any other website is not an official copy.
How to install SQL Server Management Studio on Windows 11 and 10
Sign in with an administrator account, install pending Windows updates and restart first. Pending updates are a common reason the installer stalls.
- Open the official SSMS install page and select Download the SQL Server Management Studio 22 installer.
- Open your Downloads folder and double-click vs_SSMS.exe .
- Choose Yes at the User Account Control prompt.
- Review the privacy statement and licence terms, then choose Continue. The Visual Studio Installer downloads and opens.
- Pick any optional workloads, such as Hybrid and Migration, or leave the defaults for core SSMS.
- Open the Individual components tab to add extras such as Integration Services or GitHub Copilot.
- Open the Language packs tab if you want SSMS in a language other than your Windows language.
- Select Install and wait for the progress screens to finish.
- Select Launch, or open SQL Server Management Studio from the Start menu, and connect to your server.
The installation drive for SQL Server Management Studio and Download cache can be changed only during this first install. Moving it later means uninstalling and reinstalling.
How to create an SSMS offline installer for deployment
SSMS 22 has no standalone MSI. Instead, the bootstrapper downloads every package into a local folder, called a layout, that you copy to machines without internet access.
Run these from an administrator Command Prompt in the folder holding vs_SSMS.exe . Keep the full layout path under 80 characters.
| Goal | Command |
|---|---|
| Get the bootstrapper first | SSMS 22 installer on the official install page |
| Build a complete layout with all languages | vs_SSMS.exe –layout C:\SSMS_Layout –all |
| Build a layout with Integration Services and Reporting Services only | vs_SSMS.exe –layout C:\SSMS_Layout –add Microsoft.SSMS.Component.IS –add Microsoft.SSMS.Component.RS |
| Force the installer into English | vs_SSMS.exe –locale en-US |
| Install from the layout without touching the internet | C:\SSMS_Layout\vs_SSMS.exe –noWeb –add Microsoft.Component.HelpViewer |
| Update the installer on an offline machine | vs_SSMS.exe update –quiet –noWeb |
Before installing offline, install the Microsoft Visual C++ v14 Redistributable (x86 and x64) and the required certificates. Without the certificates the installer fails silently.
Which SQL Server tool do you need on a Mac?
SSMS runs only on Windows. Microsoft’s cross-platform option is the free MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code, which runs natively on both Mac processor types.
| Your Mac | Install this | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Silicon (M-series) | Visual Studio Code plus the SQL Server (mssql) extension | MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code |
| Intel Mac | Visual Studio Code plus the SQL Server (mssql) extension | MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code |
| You need a feature only SSMS has, such as Registered Servers or database diagrams | SSMS 22 inside a persistent virtual machine running full Windows 11 | SSMS system requirements |
To add the extension, open Visual Studio Code, press Cmd+Shift+X, type mssql , select SQL Server (mssql) and choose Install. The MSSQL icon then appears in the Activity Bar.
Is SQL Server Management Studio free?
SSMS is a separate product from the SQL Server database engine, with its own licence terms.
Yes. SSMS is free for personal and enterprise use. It ships under its own licence terms, so no Visual Studio subscription or SQL Server licence is needed to install it. Any site charging for SSMS, or bundling it as a paid download, is not Microsoft.
GitHub Copilot in SSMS is a separate component and is not installed by default.
Should you install SSMS 22 or an older version?
Microsoft supports only the latest SSMS release. Older installers remain on the release history page for specific compatibility needs.
Install SSMS 22. It manages SQL Server 2014 through SQL Server 2025 and all current Azure SQL services. Choose SSMS 19.x or 20.x only to connect to the legacy SQL Server 2022 Integration Services service, which newer versions do not support.
How to check your SSMS version and update it
SSMS checks for updates when it starts and shows a notification when one is ready. Close SSMS and save your work before updating.
- Open SSMS and choose Help > Check for Updates.
- In the Update available dialog, choose Update.
- Find your SSMS installation and look for the Update available message.
- Choose Update and approve the User Account Control prompt.
- Restart the PC if asked, or choose Launch to open SSMS.
- To update automatically, open Tools > Options > Environment > Product Updates and turn on Always update on close.
Which SQL Server versions can each SSMS release manage?
Every SSMS release manages SQL Server back to 2014. The ceiling is what changes between versions.
| SSMS version | Newest SQL Server supported | Legacy SSIS service supported |
|---|---|---|
| 22.x | SQL Server 2025 (17.x) | SQL Server 2025 (17.x) |
| 21.x | SQL Server 2025 (17.x) | SQL Server 2025 (17.x) |
| 19.x, 20.x | SQL Server 2022 (16.x) | SQL Server 2022 (16.x) |
| 18.x | SQL Server 2019 (15.x) | SQL Server 2019 (15.x) |
| 17.x | SQL Server 2017 (14.x) | SQL Server 2017 (14.x) |
| 16.x | SQL Server 2016 (13.x) | SQL Server 2016 (13.x) |
Fix SSMS not installing on Windows 11 or 10
Find the symptom that matches, then work through its fix in order.
The install or update fails partway
Damaged installer metadata or a broken earlier install is the usual cause.
- Repair your SSMS installation from the Visual Studio Installer.
- If that fails, close the installer and delete C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer .
- Run vs_SSMS.exe again to reinstall the installer files.
- Install or update SSMS again.
Setup will not start on your edition of Windows
SSMS 22 needs full 64-bit Windows.
- Open Settings > System > About and check System type.
- If Windows is in S mode, switch out of S mode before installing.
- On Enterprise LTSC, IoT or 32-bit Windows, install on a supported PC or use the MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code.
The offline install fails with no error
Missing certificates or the Visual C++ runtime make the installer fail silently.
- Install the Microsoft Visual C++ v14 Redistributable, both x86 and x64.
- Install the required certificates using Microsoft’s certificate guide for SSMS.
- Run the install again with the same –add options you used to build the layout, plus –noWeb .
Repair and uninstall both fail
A corrupted installation blocks normal removal.
- Close the Visual Studio Installer.
- Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.
- Run “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\InstallCleanup.exe” -i 22 to remove SSMS 22 products.
- Run vs_SSMS.exe again to reinstall.
How to uninstall SQL Server Management Studio
Remove SSMS from the Visual Studio Installer when you want to keep the installer for Visual Studio or another SSMS version.
- Search the Start menu for Visual Studio Installer and open it.
- Update the installer first if it prompts you to.
- Find the SSMS version you want to remove and choose More > Uninstall.
- Select OK to confirm.
- To remove every trace, type Add or remove programs in Windows search.
- Find SQL Server Management Studio, choose Uninstall, and repeat for each installed version.
- Find Microsoft Visual Studio Installer and choose Uninstall.
Uninstalling SSMS leaves .NET and the Visual C++ Redistributables in place.
Which Microsoft SQL tool should you use instead of SSMS?
Pick by platform and by how much administration you do.
| Tool | Runs on | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| SSMS 22 | Windows 11 and Windows Server, x64 and Arm64 | Administration, security, Always On, performance dashboards, database diagrams |
| MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code | Windows 10 and 11, macOS, Linux | Writing queries, schema design, app development on any OS |
| SSMS 19.x or 20.x | Windows | Connecting to the legacy SQL Server 2022 Integration Services service |
Use SSMS on Windows for administration work. Use the Visual Studio Code extension on a Mac, on Linux, or when you mainly write queries.
Frequently asked questions
Is SQL Server Management Studio free?
Yes. Microsoft states SSMS is free for personal or enterprise use. It has its own licence terms, so you need no Visual Studio subscription and no SQL Server licence to install or use it.
Where is the official SSMS download page?
The official page is Install SQL Server Management Studio on learn.microsoft.com. Its Download the SQL Server Management Studio 22 installer link fetches vs_SSMS.exe from Microsoft’s own servers and always installs the newest release.
Does SSMS work on Windows 11?
Yes. SSMS 22 supports 64-bit Windows 11 in Home, Pro, Pro Education, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise and Education editions, including Arm64. Windows 11 in S mode and LTSC editions are not supported.
How big is the SSMS download?
The file you download, vs_SSMS.exe, is a bootstrapper of about 5.4 MB. It then downloads the actual product, which needs 4 GB to 50 GB of disk space depending on the components you pick.
Is there an SSMS offline installer?
Not as a single file. Run vs_SSMS.exe –layout C:\SSMS_Layout –all on a connected PC to download every package into a folder, then copy that folder to the offline machine and install with –noWeb.
Is there SQL Server Management Studio for Mac?
No. SSMS is available only for Windows. On a Mac, install Visual Studio Code and the free SQL Server (mssql) extension, which runs natively on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs.
Is SSMS 64-bit, and does it run on Arm64?
SSMS is a 64-bit application. It runs on x64 Windows and on Arm64 Windows 11. There is no 32-bit build, and 32-bit or Arm32 versions of Windows cannot run it.
What is the latest version of SSMS?
SSMS 22.10.0 is the latest release, dated September 8, 2026. It is based on Visual Studio 18.10.0. Choose Help, then Check for Updates inside SSMS to move an older 22.x install onto it.
Is the SSMS download safe?
The copy linked from learn.microsoft.com comes from Microsoft’s download servers. Right-click vs_SSMS.exe, open Properties, then Details to check the product version. Avoid copies from download portals, which Microsoft does not publish.
Why won’t SSMS install?
The most common causes are a missing administrator account, pending Windows updates, S mode, or damaged installer files. Restart, run the installer as an administrator, then use Repair in the Visual Studio Installer if it still fails.
Do I need Visual Studio to use SSMS?
No. SSMS uses the Visual Studio Installer but is not a Visual Studio workload or extension. It installs to its own folder, and it works whether or not Visual Studio is on the PC.
Can I install an older version of SSMS?
Yes. The SSMS release history page lists installers for SSMS 21, 20, 19, 18 and earlier. Only the latest release is supported, so use an older one only for a specific need such as legacy Integration Services.
