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Create an offline installation of SQL Server Management Studio

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics

SQL Server Management Studio 21 is designed to work well in various computer configurations. In this article, you learn how to create an offline installation package of files for installation on the local machine.

Use the command line to create a local layout

Step 1 - Download the SSMS bootstrapper

Download the correct bootstrapper for the version of SSMS you want, and copy it into the folder you want to use as the source ___location for your local layout. The bootstrapper is the executable you use to create, update, or modify your local layout. You must have an internet connection to complete this step.

Step 2 - Create a local layout

Open a command prompt with administrator privileges, navigate to the folder where you downloaded the bootstrapper, and use the bootstrapper's parameters to create your local layout. You must have an internet connection to complete this step.

You can install a language other than English by changing en-US to a locale from the list of language locales, and you can use the list of component IDs to further customize your local layout.

To create a complete local layout for SQL Server Management Studio and all languages, run:

vs_SSMS.exe --layout C:\SSMS_Layout --all

To create a local layout for SQL Server Management Studio that limits the components to only the Integration Services and Reporting Services component, run:

vs_SSMS.exe --layout C:\SSMS_Layout --add Microsoft.SSMS.Component.IS --add Microsoft.SSMS.Component.RS

To create a local layout for SQL Server Management Studio that limits the components to only the offline help content, run:

vs_SSMS.exe --layout C:\SSMS_Layout --add Microsoft.Component.HelpViewer

After the bootstrapper finishes downloading the layout files, the local layout folder can be moved to any other machine or environment you want to install SQL Server Management Studio on without requiring an internet connection.

Note

Make sure that your full installation path is fewer than 80 characters and that your machine has ample storage. SQL Server Management Studio requires a minimum of 4-GB of disk space. For more information, see System requirements for SQL Server Management Studio.

Step 3 - Install SSMS from the local layout

Before installing SSMS from a local layout in an offline environment, confirm that the necessary certificates are installed on the machine.

When you install SSMS from a local layout, the Visual Studio Installer uses the local versions of the files. If you select components during installation that aren't in the layout, then the Visual Studio Installer attempts to download them from the internet. To make sure you install only the files you previously downloaded, use the same command-line options you used to create the local layout. To make sure your installer doesn't try to access the internet when it's installing the product, use the --noweb switch.

For example, if you created a local installation layout using the command from step 2, then use the following command to run the installation and prevent the client machine from accessing the internet:

C:\SSMS_Layout\vs_SSMS.exe --noWeb --add Microsoft.Component.HelpViewer

Use the "Download all, then install" feature

Sometimes online access is problematic. For example, you might have an unreliable internet connection or your internet connection might have low bandwidth. For situations like these, you can use the Download all, then install feature from the Visual Studio Installer to download an installation package on the local machine before you install it locally. Alternatively, you can use the command line to create a local installation package to install locally later.

After you download the bootstrapper, run it to install SSMS. It first installs and then launches the latest version of the Visual Studio Installer. Within the Visual Studio Installer, customize your installation of SSMS by selecting the workloads or components, installation ___location, and language packs you want to install.

Once you complete your selection, select the Download all, then install option in the dropdown list next to the Install button of the Visual Studio Installer. Selecting this option downloads the SSMS packages needed for installation on the local machine. By downloading the packages locally first, you can then safely disconnect from the internet before you install SSMS.

Support or troubleshooting

Sometimes, things can go wrong. If your SSMS installation fails, see Troubleshoot installation and upgrade issues for SQL Server Management Studio for step-by-step guidance.

You can reference the SSMS Developer Community site for other known issues (filter on Tooling under Groups) and to provide feedback to the product team.

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