Hi @Ryan Schmitz,
Thanks for your information.
Unless you're specifically required to use GDR, go with CU. Please read CU patch notes before installing. GDR updates cumulatively only contain security updates for the given baseline. CU updates cumulatively contain all functional fixes and security updates for the given baseline.
As for which patch branch to follow, see below:
- If SQL Server installation is at a baseline version, you can choose either the GDR or CU update.
- If SQL Server installation has intentionally only installed past GDR updates, then choose to install the GDR update package.
- If SQL Server installation has intentionally installed previous CU updates, then chose to install the CU security update package.
Note: You are allowed to make a change from GDR updates to CU updates ONE TIME. Once a SQL Server CU update is applied to a SQL Server installation, there is NO way to go back to the GDR update path. Hope this article help you understand well.
Best Regards,
Lucy Chen
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