| title | Install SQL Server Servicing Updates | |
|---|---|---|
| description | This article provides information about installing updates for SQL Server during a new installation or after SQL Server has been installed. | |
| author | rwestMSFT | |
| ms.author | randolphwest | |
| ms.date | 06/03/2025 | |
| ms.service | sql | |
| ms.subservice | install | |
| ms.topic | install-set-up-deploy | |
| ms.custom |
|
|
| monikerRange | >=sql-server-2016 |
[!INCLUDE SQL Server -Windows Only]
This article provides information about installing updates for [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion]. This section provides the following information:
- Installing updates for [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] during a new installation
- Installing updates for [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] after it's installed.
Install the latest [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] updates in a timely manner to make sure that systems are up-to-date with the most recent security updates.
[!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] setup integrates the latest product updates with the main product installation so that the main product and its applicable updates are installed at the same time. Product Update can search for the applicable updates from:
- [!INCLUDE msCoName] Update
- Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
- A local folder
- A network share
After Setup finds the latest versions of the applicable updates, it downloads and integrates them with the current [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] setup process. Product Update can include a cumulative update, service pack, or service pack plus cumulative update.
On an installed instance of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion], we recommend that you apply the latest security updates and critical updates including general distribution releases (GDRs), service packs (SPs), and cumulative updates (CUs). For more information, see the March 2016 announcement on the SQL Server Incremental Servicing Model (ISM).
Starting with [!INCLUDE ssSQL17], we adopted a simplified, predictable mainstream servicing lifecycle, and service packs (SPs) are no longer available.
Only cumulative updates (CUs), and general distribution releases (GDRs) when needed.
For more information, see the September 2017 announcement on the Modern Servicing Model for SQL Server (MSM).
The [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] updates are available through [!INCLUDE msCoName] Update (MU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and the Microsoft Download Center. Security and Critical updates for [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] are available through [!INCLUDE msCoName] Update, and you must opt in to MU to be able to see these updates using the Windows Update applet.
When you receive an update through [!INCLUDE msCoName] Update, it updates all [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] features to the latest version in an unattended mode. If you need more flexibility or don't have internet or WSUS access, you must obtain the updates from the [!INCLUDE msCoName] Download Center.