Microsoft regularly releases updates to SQL Server to fix issues and improve functionality. These updates typically come as Cumulative Updates (CUs), which release about every 30 days. Here are the steps to download and install the latest CU for your SQL Server.
Download the Latest CU
To get the latest cumulative update for your SQL Server version, go to Microsoft’s official release page. This page has updates for all supported SQL Server versions.
Each cumulative update works with a specific SQL Server version (like SQL Server 2019 or 2022), so check your version first by running this query in SSMS:
SELECT @@VERSIONOn the release page, pick your SQL Server version and you’ll go to the CU page for that specific KB. Read the CU documentation, then scroll down to the section called How to obtain or download this or the latest cumulative update package and click the link that says Download the latest cumulative update package for SQL Server 20xx now.
You’ll go to another page. When it loads, download the right CU file. The file will be a .exe file named something like SQLServer20xx-KBxxxxxxx-x64.exe.
Installing the CU
Installing CUs requires downtime for your SQL Server, so schedule a maintenance window before you start. Most importantly, make sure you have a recent database backup before installing the CU. This can turn a 15-minute maintenance task into a 3-hour emergency call with your boss and angry clients. Once you’re ready, find the .exe file and right-click it to Run as Administrator. This starts the SQL Server Update Installer.
The installer walks you through a few steps:
- Accept License Terms: Read and accept the license agreement.
- Select SQL Server Instances: The installer finds all SQL Server instances on your machine. Choose which instance(s) to update.
- File Check: The installer checks that needed files aren’t in use. When it finishes, click
Next. - Summary: Review the information and click
Update.
The update takes a few minutes depending on your system and SQL Server setup. During this time, the selected instances might be unavailable, so users will start complaining if you didn’t warn them about downtime.
Make sure all operations show Successful and close the installer.
Post Installation Tasks
Some people suggest restarting SQL Server after updates, but I only do this if the installer specifically asks for it. To check that the update worked, open SSMS, connect to your instance, and run the query again:
SELECT @@VERSIONNow you should see the CU short code after the version number and the KB (for example: Microsoft SQL Server 20xx (RTM-CUxx) (KBxxxxxxx)...).
If the installation fails and you need to rollback, you can find uninstall instructions for your specific KB at the bottom of that KB article.
If you run into problems or need help, leave a comment below and I or the community can help troubleshoot.