Overview of Recent SQL Server Management Studio Updates

Hello Team, I wanted to share some updates from the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) team, as highlighted in three recent blog posts. These updates bring new capabilities to SSMS, which I believe will be beneficial for ongoing and future projects.

1. SSMS 21 Preview 3 release: The latest preview of SSMS 21 introduces several new features and improvements that leverages Visual Studio 17.13 Preview 3 and offers a more modern and efficient user experience. Read the Release Notes for SSMS 21 Preview.
2. SQL Server version upgrade capability coming to SSMS soon: A new capability is being introduced to SSMS that will simplify the process of upgrading SQL Server versions. This feature will allow users to provide:
   • Seamless Upgrades: Perform in-place upgrades of SQL Server instances directly from SSMS.
   • Minimal Downtime: Ensure minimal downtime during the upgrade process, making it more convenient for production environments.
3. Always Encrypted Assessment and online encryption in SSMS 21: The Always Encrypted Wizard in SSMS has been enhanced with new assessment capabilities.
   • Column Suitability Assessment: The wizard can now assess database columns for their suitability for encryption, identifying any potential issues.
   • Detailed Feedback: Provides detailed feedback on why certain columns may not be suitable for encryption, helping users make informed decisions.

These updates reflect Microsoft’s commitment to continuously improving SSMS and providing tools that enhance productivity and security. I encourage everyone to review these blog posts for more detailed information and to explore the new features in SSMS 21.