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Administer servers with SQL Server Management Studio

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Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW)

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a rich, integrated administrative client designed to meet the SQL Server and Azure SQL Database administrator's server management requirements. In SSMS, administrative tasks are accomplished using Object Explorer, which allows you to connect to any server in the SQL Server family and graphically browse its contents. A server can be an instance of the Database Engine, Analysis Services (SSAS), Reporting Services (SSRS), Integration Services (SSIS), Azure SQL Managed Instance, or Azure SQL Database.

The tool components of SSMS include Registered Servers, Object Explorer, Solution Explorer, Template Explorer, the Object Explorer Details page, and the document window. To display a tool, on the View menu, select the tool name. To display the Query Editor tool, select the New Query button on the toolbar.

To get started, download SQL Server Management Studio.

Encrypt your connection

In SQL Server 2019 (15.x) and earlier versions, network traffic between SSMS and SQL Server is unencrypted by default. Don't work with sensitive data (including passwords) in SSMS unless you establish an encrypted connection. For more information, see How to: Enable Encrypted Connections to the Database Engine (SQL Server Configuration Manager).

For more information about encryption in SQL Server Management Studio 20 and later versions, see Release notes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

SSMS features

Use SSMS to:

  • Register servers
  • Connect to an instance of the Database Engine, SSAS, SSRS, SSIS, Azure SQL Managed Instance, or Azure SQL Database
  • Configure server properties
  • Manage database and SSAS objects such as cubes, dimensions, and assemblies
  • Create objects, such as databases, tables, cubes, database users, and logins
  • Manage files and filegroups
  • Attach or detach databases
  • Launch scripting tools
  • Manage security
  • View system logs
  • Monitor current activity
  • Configure replication
  • Manage full-text indexes

To start and stop SQL Server or SQL Server Agent, use SQL Server Configuration Manager.

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