Support for Microsoft SQL Server

Key Resources

Microsoft System Center Advisor
Download System Center Advisor to proactively detect potential issues.

SQL Server Product Home Page
Visit the SQL Server Home Page for product information, trial software, demos, purchasing options, technical resources and more.

Try it Now: SQL Server 2012
Download the final RTM version of SQL Server 2012.

SQL Server 2012 Release Notes
Download the release notes for SQL Server 2012.

SQL Server End-of-Life Support Page
Vist the SQL Server Support Updates page for details about the transition from Mainstream Support to Extended Support for SQL Server 2005 and about the upcoming end of Extended Support for SQL Server 2000.

IT Professionals: SQL Server TechCenter on TechNet
The SQL Server TechCenter is the primary resource for IT Professionals providing links to technical resources including articles, webcasts, videos, blogs and community forums.

Developers: SQL Server Developer Center
The SQL Server Developer Center is the primary resource for Developers seeking resources to customize and create integrations for SQL Server.

IT Professionals: SQL Server Update Management
This portal contains valuable information/links for maintaining SQL Server and all of your Microsoft systems. Here you'll find information and destinations including a link to the SQL Server Release Services blog with detailed Cumulative Update (PCU) information.

SQL Server

SQL Server Downloads
Get add-ins, tools, and documentation that you can download from Microsoft.

SQL Server 2012

Try it Now: SQL Server 2012
Download the final RTM version of SQL Server 2012.

How to Obtain the Latest Service Pack for SQL Server 2012
This article provides details on how to obtain the latest service packs, release notes and update details for SQL Server 2012..

SQL Server 2012 Express
SQL Server 2012 Express is a free version of SQL Server that delivers a rich and reliable data store for lightweight Web Sites and desktop applications.

SQL Server 2008 R2

How to Obtain the Latest Service Pack for SQL Server 2008 R2
This article provides details on how to obtain the latest service packs, release notes and update details for SQL Server 2008 R2.

SQL Server 2008

How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2008
This article provides details on how to obtain the latest service packs, release notes and update details for SQL Server 2008.

SQL Server 2005

How to Obtain the Latest Service Pack for SQL Server 2005
This article provides details on how to obtain the latest service packs, release notes and update details for SQL Server 2005.

SQL Server 2000

How to obtain the latest service pack for SQL Server 2000
This article provides details on how to obtain the latest service packs, release notes and update details for SQL Server 2000.

SQL Server Compact

SQL Server Compact 4.0 Download
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0 is a free, embedded database that software developers can use for building ASP.NET websites and Windows desktop applications. SQL Server Compact 4.0 has a small footprint and supports private deployment of its binaries within the application folder, easy application development in Visual Studio and WebMatrix, and seamless migration of schema and data to SQL Server.

Upgrading your SQL Server

SQL Server 2012 Release Notes
Download the release notes for SQL Server 2012.

Resources for Upgrading to SQL Server 2012
Use these resources as aids in upgrading to SQL Server 2012.

Upgrading to SQL Server 2008 R2
Find comprehensive resources for upgrading from older versions of SQL Server to SQL Server 2008 R2.

SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Feature Pack
Download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Feature Pack, a collection of stand-alone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1.

SQL Server Setup Portal
The SQL Server Setup Portal is designed as a solution-based vs. technology-based site, focused on helping ensure a successful installation of SQL Server.

Migrating to SQL Server

Migrating to Microsoft SQL Server
SQL Server delivers exceptional value in Database Management and Business Intelligence causing many customers to choose SQL Server over other database solutions. The information on this page will help you find the resources needed to migrate your data to SQL Server.

Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit for SQL Server 2008 R2 Migration
Download the Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit for SQL Server now, to help assess your IT environment and accelerate your migration to SQL Server.

SQL Server Migration Assistant Tools
A complete suite of tools that dramatically cut the effort, cost, and risk of migrating from another database to SQL Server.

Moving your SQL Server

Move a database from one server to another server in SQL Server 2008
This blog post enumerates the various ways to move/copy a database from one server to another server using SQL Server Tools.

How to move SQL Server databases to a new location by using Detach and Attach functions in SQL Server
This article provides step-by-step details on how to change the location of the data files and of the log files for any Microsoft SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2000, or SQL Server 7.0 database.

How to move SQL Server from Standalone to Cluster environment
This blog post provides guidance on how to move a standalone SQL Server to clustered SQL Server.

Tools

SQL Server Tools Forum
Ask questions and research discussions related specifically to SQL Server tools.

Tools and Utilities Documentation Map
SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online tools and utilities documentation map.

SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Feature Pack
Download the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1 Feature Pack, a collection of stand-alone install packages that provide additional value for SQL Server 2008 R2 SP1.

Set and Manipulate Service Principle Names (SPNs)
The Setspn command-line tool allows you to read, modify, and delete the Service Principal Names (SPN) directory property for an Active Directory service account.

Active Directory Service Interfaces Editor (ADSI Edit)
ADSI Edit (adsiedit.msc) is a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) editor that you can use to manage objects and attributes in Active Directory.

SQL Server Diagnostic Utility
The SQLdiag utility is a general purpose diagnostics collection utility that can be run as a console application or as a service. You can use SQLdiag to collect logs and data files from SQL Server and other types of servers, and use it to monitor your servers over time or troubleshoot specific problems with your servers.

SQL Nexus
SQL Nexus is a tool that helps you identify the root cause of SQL Server performance issues.

SQL IO Simulator
The SQLIOSim tool is designed to perform reliability and integrity tests on disk subsystems. These tests simulate read, write, checkpoint, backup, sort, and read-ahead activities for Microsoft SQL Server.

RML Utilities – x64
The RML utilities allow you to process SQL Server trace files and view reports showing how SQL Server is performing.

RML Utilities – x86
The RML utilities allow you to process SQL Server trace files and view reports showing how SQL Server is performing.

Learn

PowerPivot Components Overview
Learn more about PowerPivot Excel and SharePoint components from the SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online.

PowerPivot Overview Video
Check out the PowerPivot overview on the TechNet Wiki.

PowerPivot for Excel Installation Tutorial
Check out the PowerPivot Add-In for Excel 2010 installation tutorial on the TechNet Wiki.

Download, Learn, and Explore
PowerPivot gives users the power to create compelling self-service BI solutions, facilitates sharing and collaboration on user-generated BI solutions in a Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 environment, and enables IT organizations to increase operational efficiencies through Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2-based management tools.

PowerPivot YouTube Videos
PowerPivot instructional videos on the SQL Server YouTube site.

Support and Assistance

PowerPivot for SharePoint Requirements
PowerPivot for Sharepoint hardware and software requirements.

PowerPivot for SharePoint Installation Assistance
The SQL Server 2008 R2 Books Online documentation includes several HowTo articles to help you with your PowerPivot for SharePoint installation.

PowerPivot for SharePoint Forum
Visit the PowerPivot for SharePoint forum to read important announcements, and discuss issues relating to server set up and configuration, publication of workbooks, data refresh and workbook monitoring.

PowerPivot for Excel Forum
Visit the PowerPivot for Excel forum to read important announcements, and discuss issues relating to importing data, building relationships, and using DAX within the PowerPivot window.

The Great PowerPivot FAQ
Hosted by PowerPivotPro, moderated by PowerPivot experts from the community.

PowerPivotGeek Blog
Dave Wickert's blog devoted to PowerPivot from a geek's point of view.

Community Resources

Microsoft SQL Server on YouTube
Check out the Microsoft SQL Server channel on YouTube.  Subscribe and watch videos from the SQL Server Community Team.

SQL Server on TechNet Wiki
The home of community-generated content about SQL Server that anyone can edit.

SQL Server Community Center
Visit the SQL Server community page to network with peers, share knowledge and code, to stay current, and to learn from the experts.

SQL Server Community Com-PASS Feeds (registration required)
Feeds from the Professional Association for SQL Server community, providing broad insight to the Microsoft SQL Server and business intelligence communities.

SQL Server Facebook Page
Visit the SQL Server page on Facebook to access news and announcements and to connect with other members of the SQL Server community.

SQL Server Twitter Feed
Follow SQL Server on Twitter to get the latest news on SQL Server.

Ask the Community

IT Professionals: Post a question or search for answers in the TechNet forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Developers: Post a question or search for answers in the MSDN forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Blogs

SQL Server Blogs
Access a list of blogs by the SQL Server Team, by MVPs and by other experts.

PowerPivot Team Blog
Access information, tips, news and announcements about PowerPivot directly from the product team.

PowerPivotGeek Blog
Dave Wickert's blog devoted to PowerPivot from a geek's point of view.

Self-Support Options

Search the Knowledge Base
Search the Microsoft Knowledge Base for technical solutions to common break-fix issues with SQL Server.

IT Professionals: Post a question or search for answers in the TechNet forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

Developers: Post a question or search for answers in the MSDN forums
Ask a question or search for answers in the SQL Server forums. Experts are on hand to help. Most questions answers in 24 hours or less.

IT Professionals: SQL Server TechCenter on TechNet
The following support pages on the SQL Server TechCenter are available:

SQL Server 2012
SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2005

Developers: SQL Server Developer Center
SQL Server Troubleshooting and Support.

Microsoft Premier Online (MPO)
Enterprise customers with a Premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can select available support options on the Microsoft Partner Portal.

Assisted Support Options: Paid Incident Support

Assisted Support Options: Contract Incident Support

Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your TechNet Subscription
As a TechNet Plus subscriber, you are entitled to receive two (2) complimentary incidents and a 20 percent discount on any additional phone incidents you purchase. Learn more.

Contact a Microsoft Support Professional using your MSDN Subscription
As an MSDN Subscriber, you may be entitled to receive up to four (4) technical support incidents depending on your subscription level. These support incidents can be used to resolve technical break-fix issues in a non-production environment and are the equivalent of paid Professional Support incidents. You can use a technical support incident to find a solution to a production issue if you can replicate that issue in a non-production environment. Learn more.

Microsoft Partners: Visit the Microsoft Partner Network
Microsoft Partners can select available support options on the Microsoft Partner Portal.

Microsoft Premier Online (MPO)
Enterprise customers with a Premier account can visit Microsoft Premier Online for troubleshooting information or to open a support incident with a Microsoft support professional.

Additional Support Options

Microsoft Pinpoint
Connect with thousands of Microsoft Certified companies to find products and services.

View Support Lifecycle Information

Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy
Visit the Support Lifecycle Policy page to view Microsoft’s guidelines for product support from availability to end of product lifecycle.

SQL Server Lifecycle Policies

SQL Server 2012
SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2000

Older Versions

View the Support Lifecycle Index