Discover Your SQL Server Version: A Quick Guide

SQL Server is a popular relational database management system developed by Microsoft, widely used for storing and managing data. Knowing the version of your SQL Server is crucial for various reasons, including ensuring compatibility with software applications, troubleshooting issues, and staying up-to-date with the latest security patches and features. In this article, we will explore different methods to discover your SQL Server version quickly and efficiently.

Method 1: Using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a comprehensive tool for managing SQL Server databases. If you have SSMS installed, you can easily find your SQL Server version by following these steps:

1. Open SSMS and connect to your SQL Server instance.
2. In the Object Explorer, right-click on the server and select "Properties."
3. In the Server Properties window, click on the "General" page.
4. Look for the "Version" field, which displays the version of your SQL Server instance.

For example, the version might be displayed as "Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (RTM) - 15.0.2000.5 (X64)".

Understanding the Version Information

The version information displayed in SSMS provides valuable details about your SQL Server instance. Here's a breakdown of what each part typically represents:

• Major Version: The major version number, such as 2019, 2017, or 2014.
• Release Type: Indicators like (RTM) for the initial release or (CU) for cumulative updates.
• Build Number: A specific build number, like 15.0.2000.5, indicating the patch level.
• Architecture: Information about the server architecture, such as (X64) for 64-bit.

Method 2: Using T-SQL Queries

If you prefer a more direct approach or don't have SSMS installed, you can use T-SQL queries to find your SQL Server version. Open a new query window in SSMS or use a tool like Azure Data Studio, and execute the following query:

SELECT @@VERSION;

This will return a string containing detailed information about your SQL Server version, similar to the following:

Microsoft SQL Server 2019 (RTM) - 15.0.2000.5 (X64) 
June 4 2019 21:30:35 
Copyright (c) 2019 Microsoft Corporation. 
All rights reserved.

Extracting Specific Version Details

If you need specific details from the version string, you can use T-SQL functions to parse the information. For example, to extract just the version number:

SELECT SERVERPROPERTY('ProductVersion') AS ProductVersion;

This will return the version number in a format like "15.0.2000.5".

Method 3: Checking the Windows Registry

For those who prefer working directly with the Windows system, you can also find the SQL Server version by checking the Windows Registry. This method is useful if you don't have SSMS or direct access to the SQL Server instance.

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server.
4. Look for the CurrentVersion key, which contains the version information.

Be cautious when editing the registry, as changes can have significant effects on your system. This method provides a quick glance at the installed SQL Server versions on the machine.

Using PowerShell to Retrieve SQL Server Version

PowerShell offers another flexible method to retrieve SQL Server version information, especially useful for automation and scripting tasks. You can use the following command:

(Get-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server").CurrentVersion

This command retrieves the CurrentVersion value from the registry, providing a straightforward way to get the SQL Server version.