Announcing Microsoft SQL Server 2025 and SSMS 21.

Microsoft SQL Server 2025, now in preview, is an enterprise AI-ready database from ground to cloud that tackles these challenges by bringing AI to customers’ data. This release continues SQL Server’s three decades of innovation in performance and security, adding new AI capabilities. With Microsoft Fabric integration, customers can bring their data into the next generation of data analytics. The release supports hybrid environments across clouds, on-premises datacenters, and edge, leveraging Microsoft Azure innovation for customers’ databases. Read more: Announcing Microsoft SQL Server 2025: Apply for the preview for the enterprise AI-ready database – Microsoft SQL Server Blog

• Microsoft SQL Server 2025 is now in private preview and is designed as an enterprise AI-ready database from ground to cloud.
• This new version includes AI built-in, which simplifies AI application development and retrieval augmented generation (RAG) patterns with easy-to-use vector support, leveraging the familiar T-SQL language.
• You can combine vectors with your SQL data for a hybrid AI vector search.
• Security and performance enhancements include automated credential management and reduced potential vulnerabilities with Microsoft Entra managed identities..
• Workload performance is boosted with enhanced intelligent query optimization and query performance execution..
• SQL Server 2025 is integrated with Microsoft Fabric and Azure Arc, enabling near real-time analytics through Fabric database mirroring and providing cloud security, management, and agility anywhere via Arc.

Also Announcing the release of SQL Server Management Studio 21 Preview 1. Read more: SSMS 21 Preview 1 release.

• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 21 Preview 1 is now available for download.
• This version is designed to simplify tasks for database administrators, developers, system administrators, and independent software vendors.
• Key features include multiple tab windows, a rich SQL query editor, IntelliSense, keyword completion, code snippets, and source control integration (Git).
• SSMS 21 is based on Visual Studio 2022, offering an integrated experience when working with SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and Azure Synapse Analytics.
• It supports SQL Server Always On Availability Groups, making it easier to configure, monitor, and troubleshoot these groups.
• The installation process has been updated to use the Visual Studio Installer, which allows for easier modification of components and language packs.
• Repair functionality is included to fix a wide variety of install-time issues, including update issues.
• The roadmap for SSMS 21 includes themes such as modernization, AI, Git integration, and general improvements across the application.

Thank you for your interest in the SQL Server 2025 Early Adoption Program (EAP). To apply for the EAP, please complete this questionnaire with all appropriate information pertaining to your compan…