Introduction
I thought it would be worthwhile to put together this SQL Server Build and Support Date Cheat Sheet that combines some useful information from two main sources. The first is information and links about the latest public CU build of each major version of SQL Server going back to SQL Server 2005. The second is information about the Mainstream Support and Extended Support end dates for each major version of SQL Server.
I know that having all of this information in one place will save me time and effort in the future. Perhaps you will find it useful too! Note: This information is current as of May 21, 2021.
You can download a PDF version of this here. This contains the complete document, not just the table above.
Modern Versions of SQL Server
SQL Server 2016 through SQL Server 2019 are “modern” versions of SQL Server that are all still in Mainstream Support from Microsoft. That means they get regular servicing releases with bug fixes, security fixes, and feature enhancements.
SQL Server 2019
SQL Server 2019 does not have Service Packs, only Cumulative Updates. The latest build is SQL Server 2019 CU10 (15.0.4123.1) which was released on April 6, 2021.
Mainstream Support ends on January 7, 2025. Extended Support ends on January 8, 2030.
SQL Server 2017
SQL Server 2017 does not have Service Packs, only Cumulative Updates. The latest build is SQL Server 2017 CU24 (14.0.3391.2) which was released on May 10, 2021.
Mainstream Support ends on October 11, 2022. Extended Support ends on October 12, 2027.
SQL Server 2016
SQL Server 2016 has both Service Packs and Cumulative Updates. Only SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 2 is currently supported. You must be on SQL Server 2016 Service Pack 2 before you can apply the latest Cumulative Update.
The latest build is SQL Server 2016 SP2 CU17 (13.0.5888.1) which was released on March 29, 2021.
Obsolescent Versions of SQL Server
SQL Server 2014 and SQL Server 2012 are “obsolescent” versions of SQL Server that are no longer in Mainstream Support from Microsoft. That means they do not get regular servicing releases with bug fixes and feature enhancements. They are still in Extended Support, which means that they do get security updates.
SQL Server 2014
SQL Server 2014 has both Service Packs and Cumulative Updates. Only SQL Server 2014 Service Pack 3 is currently supported. You must be on SQL Server 2014 Service Pack 3 before you can apply the latest security update.
The latest build is SQL Server 2014 SP3 CU4 plus security update (12.0.6433.1) which was released on January 12, 2021.
Mainstream Support ended on July 9, 2019. Extended Support ends on July 9, 2024.
SQL Server 2012
SQL Server 2012 has both Service Packs and Cumulative Updates. Only SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 4 is currently supported. You must be on SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 4 before you can apply the latest security update.
The latest build is SQL Server 2012 SP3 CU4 plus security update (11.0.7507.2) which was released on January 12, 2021.
Mainstream Support ended on July 11, 2017. Extended Support ends on July 12, 2022.
Legacy Versions of SQL Server
SQL Server 2008 R2 and older are “legacy” versions of SQL Server that are no longer in Mainstream or Extended Support from Microsoft. That means they do not get any servicing releases with bug fixes, feature enhancements or security updates.
SQL Server 2008 R2
SQL Server 2008 R2 has both Service Packs and Cumulative Updates. Only SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 3 is currently “supported”. You must be on SQL Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 3 before you can apply the last security update.
The latest build is SQL Server 2008 R2 SP3 plus security update (10.50.6560) which was released on January 5, 2018.
Mainstream Support ended on July 8, 2014. Extended Support ended on July 9, 2019.
SQL Server 2008
SQL Server 2008 has both Service Packs and Cumulative Updates. Only SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 4 is currently “supported”. You must be on SQL Server 2008 Service Pack 4 before you can apply the last security update.
The latest build is SQL Server 2008 SP4 plus security update (10.0.6556) which was released on January 5, 2018.
Mainstream Support ended on July 8, 2014. Extended Support ended on July 9, 2019.
SQL Server 2005
SQL Server 2005 has both Service Packs and Cumulative Updates. Only SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 is currently “supported”. You must be on SQL Server 2005 Service Pack 4 before you can apply the last Cumulative Update.
The latest CU build is SQL Server 2005 SP4 CU3 (9.0.5266) which was released on March 21 2011. There was also a security update released on October 8, 2012.
Mainstream Support ended on April 12, 2011. Extended Support ended on April 12, 2016.
Further Reading
I usually write a blog post as each new Cumulative Update is released. Here are the most recent ones.
- SQL Server 2017 Cumulative Update 24
- SQL Server 2019 Cumulative Update 10
- SQL Server 2016 SP2 Cumulative Update 17
Final Words
This information is current as of May 21, 2021.
I hope that this SQL Server Build and Support Date Cheat Sheet post has been interesting and useful! I will update this post as new Cumulative Updates are released for SQL Server 2019, SQL Server 2017, and SQL Server 2016. If there are any security updates for SQL Server 2014 or SQL Server 2012, I will also update this post. Barring a major policy change from Microsoft, there won’t be any updates or changes for SQL Server 2008 R2 or older.
If you have any questions about this post, please ask me here in the comments or on Twitter. I am pretty active on Twitter as GlennAlanBerry. Thanks for reading!
Thank you so much!
Glad to help!