Upgrade SQL Server Management Studio from v17 to v18 ?

Question

Hello, I currently have SSMS version 17.7 installed and would like to upgrade to the latest version which currently believe is 18.12.1

Is it correct that I should uninstall v17 first and then download and install v18 in that you can't simply install v18 on top of existing v17... or nowadays is ok/safe to install over existing ?

Just wondering if uninstall v17 won't be clean and could hinder a good installation of v18 or please let me know most recommended method of install v18 (would prefer not to have both v17 & v18 versions existing installed/running side by side).

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Is it correct that I should uninstall v17 first

Not must but better not to have clients application if you do not need it.

You can run both versions on the same machine. This is not an upgrade but different version altogether. When you upgrade from version 18.X to 18.X then you actually use upgrade of the same app.

In the machine which I am using now to write this message, I have SSMS 17, SSMS 18 , and SSMS 19 preview all running well side by side.

With that said, it is not recommended in production to have old versions or any application which you do not need on the server

Note! This is explicitly presented in the official documentation of SSMS

The SSMS 18.x installation doesn't upgrade or replace SSMS versions 17.x or earlier. SSMS 18.x installs side by side with previous versions, so both versions are available for use.

https://learn.microsoft.com/sql/ssms/download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms?view=sql-server-ver16&WT.mc_id=DP-MVP-5001699#download-ssms

Answer 2

Hi @techresearch7777777 ，

If the reply above was helpful please mark as accepted answer so it can be helpful for other community members with same questions.

SSMS 18.x can install side by side with previous versions, both 17 and 18 version are available for use, you can directly install SSMS 18 and SSMS 18 installation does not upgrade or replace SSMS version 17, so you can just need to install SSMS according to your needs

Regards

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Answer 3

Thanks pituach & Yufeishao-msft for your replies, much appreciated.

My main goal is to not have SSMS v17 & v18 existing/running side by side on same machine...have v18 only

Just wondering of the uninstall of v17 and/or install v18 on top of existing might cause issues when trying to use v18...(i.e. broken libraries, file not found, etc...)

Hope all is well.