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SqlClient driver support lifecycle

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient ships independently of .NET. A supported application uses a supported driver release on a supported .NET or .NET Framework runtime and operating system.

Support levels

  • Long-Term Support (LTS) releases receive support for three years after their initial release.
  • Standard-Term Support (STS) end dates are listed for each release line.
  • Preview releases aren't supported for production use.
  • Only supported release lines receive servicing fixes.

Actively supported Microsoft.Data.SqlClient releases

Version Initial release Latest patch Patch release Support level End of support
7.0 March 17, 2026 7.0.3 September 10, 2026 STS To be determined by the next release
6.1 August 14, 2025 6.1.7 September 10, 2026 LTS August 14, 2028

Use the latest patch in the selected release line. Patch releases contain fixes and don't intentionally add breaking features.

Out-of-support Microsoft.Data.SqlClient releases

Version Initial release Last patch Patch release Support level Support ended
6.0 January 9, 2025 6.0.5 January 16, 2026 STS February 14, 2026
5.2 February 28, 2024 5.2.3 April 29, 2025 STS August 28, 2025
5.1 January 19, 2023 5.1.9 January 13, 2026 LTS January 20, 2026
5.0 July 29, 2022 5.0.2 March 31, 2023 STS July 19, 2023
4.1 January 31, 2022 4.1.1 September 13, 2022 STS January 29, 2023
4.0 November 18, 2021 4.0.6 August 21, 2024 LTS November 19, 2024
3.1 March 30, 2022 3.1.7 August 20, 2024 LTS March 30, 2025
3.0 June 9, 2021 3.0.1 September 24, 2021 STS May 18, 2022
2.1 November 19, 2020 2.1.7 January 9, 2024 LTS November 20, 2023
2.0 June 16, 2020 2.0.1 August 25, 2020 STS May 19, 2021
1.1 November 20, 2019 1.1.4 March 10, 2021 LTS November 21, 2022
1.0 August 28, 2019 1.0.19269.1 September 26, 2019 STS May 20, 2020

Upgrade applications on an out-of-support line. Review What's new in Microsoft.Data.SqlClient and Migrate from System.Data.SqlClient to Microsoft.Data.SqlClient for changes that affect an update.

Target frameworks

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient 7.0 supports applications that target:

Application target Operating systems
.NET Framework 4.6.2 or later Supported Windows versions for the selected .NET Framework version
.NET 8 or later Supported Windows, Linux, and macOS versions for the selected .NET version

The package includes a .NET Standard 2.0 compatibility asset for libraries. Executable applications must target a supported .NET or .NET Framework runtime. For deployment steps, see Install, update, and deploy Microsoft.Data.SqlClient.

Database compatibility

This matrix lists actively supported driver lines and database products. Yes means that the driver supports connecting to the database product. Individual features can require a newer driver, database engine, service tier, or protocol version.

Database product 7.0 6.1
Azure SQL Database Yes Yes
Azure SQL Managed Instance Yes Yes
Azure Synapse Analytics Yes Yes
SQL database in Microsoft Fabric Yes Yes
Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric Yes Yes
SQL Server 2025 Yes Yes
SQL Server 2022 Yes Yes
SQL Server 2019 Yes Yes
SQL Server 2017 Yes Yes

SQL database and Warehouse in Microsoft Fabric use TDS endpoints and require Microsoft Entra authentication. Warehouse doesn't support Multiple Active Result Sets (MARS). Review the linked Fabric connectivity articles for current service-specific authentication requirements and limitations.

Azure Key Vault Provider support

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient.AlwaysEncrypted.AzureKeyVaultProvider ships separately from the core driver.

Version Initial release Latest patch Patch release Support level End of support
7.x March 17, 2026 7.0.3 September 10, 2026 STS To be determined by the next release
6.x August 14, 2025 6.1.2 August 19, 2025 LTS August 14, 2028
5.x February 2, 2024 5.1.0 February 2, 2024 LTS February 3, 2027

Out-of-support provider lines:

Version Initial release Last patch Patch release Support level Support ended
3.x June 14, 2021 3.0.0 June 14, 2021 LTS June 15, 2024
2.x March 3, 2021 2.0.0 March 3, 2021 LTS March 4, 2024
1.x November 19, 2019 1.2.0 December 1, 2020 LTS November 21, 2022

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient extension support

The extension packages introduced with Microsoft.Data.SqlClient 7.0 initially used version 1.0.0. Starting with version 7.0.2, the core driver and its companion packages use aligned versions. Applications should reference matching versions.

Package Latest aligned version Initial release Support level End of support
Microsoft.Data.SqlClient.Extensions.Abstractions 7.0.3 March 17, 2026 LTS March 17, 2029
Microsoft.Data.SqlClient.Extensions.Azure 7.0.3 March 17, 2026 LTS March 17, 2029

Supported operating systems

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient supports:

Globalization-invariant mode isn't supported.

Dependency vulnerability policy

Microsoft.Data.SqlClient declares external dependencies in its NuGet package. NuGet resolves those dependencies when an application restores packages.

The package definition is updated with secure direct-dependency versions in minor releases. A supported driver line receives a hotfix for a vulnerable dependency only when the dependency can be updated without a transitive compatibility break. Otherwise, update the affected dependency in the application and test for dependency conflicts.