The main window is divided into two primary panes:
USE MyFirstDB; -- Tells SQL which DB to use GO
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerName, Email) VALUES ('John Doe', 'john@example.com'), ('Jane Smith', 'jane@example.com'); GO
Before diving into features, it’s crucial to understand the versioning. Microsoft decoupled SSMS from the SQL Server engine. The version that supports SQL Server 2019 is SSMS 18.x (starting with 18.0, then 18.1, 18.2, up to 18.12.1 as of writing).
Key takeaway: If you install SQL Server 2019, you must download SSMS 18.x separately; it is not bundled with the setup.
SELECT * FROM Customers;
You are now ready to use SQL Server Management Studio 2019 sql server management studio 2019 new
The primary version of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) released alongside SQL Server 2019 was
. This version marked a major architectural shift, being the first release "fully aware" of SQL Server 2019 features and compatibility level 150. Key New Features in SSMS 18.x Architectural Overhaul : Migrated to the Visual Studio 2017 Isolated Shell , bringing better security and accessibility. Reduced Footprint
: The installer was significantly slimmed down to roughly half the size of previous 17.x versions. Custom Installation
: For the first time, users could install SSMS to a custom folder rather than being forced into the default drive. High DPI Support
: Enabled by default, improving clarity on high-resolution monitors. Azure Data Studio Integration : Added the ability to launch Azure Data Studio directly from within the SSMS interface. Query Output Expansion The main window is divided into two primary
: Increased the maximum size for query results sent to Grid or Text to per cell, preventing the truncation of large strings. Core SQL Server 2019 Support
SSMS 18.x introduced specific UI support for 2019's most notable features: Big Data Clusters
: Management capabilities for SQL Server, Spark, and HDFS containers. Always Encrypted with Secure Enclaves
: Support for running aggregate functions and LIKE queries on encrypted data. UTF-8 Collation
: New options in the collation dialog for better international character support. Intelligent Query Processing Before diving into features, it’s crucial to understand
: Visualizations and settings for the new performance-tuning engine. Notable Changes and Removals Database Diagrams : Initially removed in 18.0, this feature was added back in version 18.1 due to high user demand. System Requirements : Requires .NET Framework 4.7.2 or higher to run. Are you looking to
the specific 18.x installer, or would you like to see how to use these new performance tools
Note: There is no official "SSMS 2019" version number; the major version released alongside SQL Server 2019 was SSMS 18.0 (later updated to 18.12.1). Below are the major features introduced in the SSMS 18.x generation.
The standout feature in the "new" SSMS 19 is a major architectural change aimed at securing your data environment.
SQL Server Management Studio 2019: New Features and Enhancements
Microsoft releases updates every ~3 months. As of late 2024, the latest is SSMS 18.12.1. Key patch highlights:
Recommendation: Always use the latest 18.x release for SQL Server 2019. Do not use SSMS 19.x (for SQL 2022) on a 2019 server unless you have tested, as 19.x changes the database compatibility level display.