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SQL Server support · UK

SQL Server support for Azure and on-premises

SQL Server support keeps your databases patched, backed up, recoverable and monitored, wherever they run. We focus on Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance and SQL Server on Azure VMs, and we support on-premises SQL Server too, remotely and on-site. We plan upgrades before a version's support ends. It starts with a free assessment.

  • Azure SQL Database, Managed Instance and Azure VMs
  • On-premises SQL Server too, remotely or on-site
  • Health checks, patching, backups, DR and monitoring
Get your free assessment Email the team

Is this you?

What you get and how it works

  1. Step 1: Free assessment

    You getYour SQL Server estate listed, with each version's end-of-support date flagged.

  2. Step 2: Health check

    You getEach instance checked for version, patch level, backups, recovery and availability set-up, with the findings in writing.

  3. Step 3: Patching and upgrades

    You getCumulative updates in maintenance windows you agree, and a plan for versions near the end of support, including a move to Azure if it fits.

  4. Step 4: Backups and DR

    You getBackups checked, restores tested, and high availability and disaster recovery set up to match what each system can lose.

  5. Step 5: Monitoring and fixes

    You getServer-level monitoring, and troubleshooting when there's an outage or a performance problem.

Start with the free assessment

Step one is free. Stop after it if you like.

Which SQL Server versions are still supported?

Four SQL Server versions are in Microsoft support today. Dates are the last day of support, from Microsoft Lifecycle, checked 7 November 2026.

Version Mainstream support Extended support ends Updates now
SQL Server 2025 Until 6 January 2031 6 January 2036 Cumulative updates and security updates
SQL Server 2022 Until 11 January 2028 11 January 2033 Cumulative updates and security updates
SQL Server 2019 Ended 28 February 2025 8 January 2030 Security updates
SQL Server 2017 Ended 11 October 2022 12 October 2027 Security updates. CU31 was the last cumulative update
Azure SQL Database No fixed end date (Modern Lifecycle Policy) Not applicable Microsoft runs the latest stable database engine for you
Azure SQL Managed Instance No fixed end date (Modern Lifecycle Policy) Not applicable Microsoft updates it. You choose the update policy: SQL Server 2022, SQL Server 2025 or Always-up-to-date

In mainstream support, Microsoft ships cumulative updates. In extended support, it ships security updates, not cumulative updates. Microsoft recommends installing the latest cumulative update for your version.

On SQL Server 2016 or older? Support has ended. SQL Server 2016's extended support ended on 14 July 2026. The work now is an upgrade to a supported version, or a move to Azure. Extended Security Updates can bridge the gap for SQL Server 2014 and 2016, but they're critical security fixes only, and they're paid for 2016, including on Azure VMs. Your SQL Server 2016 options.

Who patches and backs up SQL Server: you or Microsoft?

It depends on where SQL Server runs.

Task Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance SQL Server on an Azure VM SQL Server on your own servers
Engine and OS updates Microsoft, automatically You. Azure Update Manager can schedule them, including cumulative updates You. Azure Arc can automate Important and Critical updates, with Software Assurance or pay-as-you-go licensing
Backups Automatic. Point-in-time restore for 1 to 35 days (7 by default; Basic tier SQL Database up to 7), and long-term retention up to 10 years You, with automated or manual backups You
High availability Built in You design it, with availability groups or a failover cluster instance You design it
End of support No fixed end date while you stay current Your SQL Server version's Lifecycle dates Your SQL Server version's Lifecycle dates
Still yours Databases and logins, index and query tuning, auditing and security Everything inside the VM Everything

Our support covers the platform side in every column: health checks, patching and upgrades, backups and restore tests, high availability and disaster recovery, and server-level monitoring with troubleshooting when something breaks. Query tuning, schema design and database development stay with your developers or software supplier.

SQL Server on virtual machines: what's supported?

A "virtual SQL Server" is SQL Server running on a virtual machine, in Azure or on your own hosts. It's the full product, so it needs the same care as a physical server: patching, backups and a plan for failure.

SQL Server on Azure VMs

  • Support: Microsoft supports SQL Server on Azure Virtual Machines and Azure VMware Solution, for SQL Server versions still in support.
  • Patching: Automated Patching retires on 17 September 2027 and only installs Important or Critical updates. Azure Update Manager replaces it and can also install cumulative updates. Use one, not both, and patch availability group replicas at different times.
  • Availability: Azure's VM SLA (99.95% for two VMs in an availability set, 99.99% across availability zones) covers the VMs, not SQL Server inside them. For the databases, use an availability group or a failover cluster instance.
  • Disaster recovery: availability group replicas in a second region, log shipping, backups to Azure Blob storage, or Azure Site Recovery. UK South and UK West are an Azure region pair, so both copies can stay in the UK.
  • Licensing: with Software Assurance, or with pay-as-you-go licensing when every replica is in Azure, a passive disaster recovery replica needs no extra SQL Server licence.

SQL Server on VMs in your own data centre

Microsoft's support policy for SQL Server in virtualised environments (KB 956893) sets out what it supports:

Where SQL Server runs Microsoft support
Hyper-V on a supported Windows Server version, or Microsoft Hyper-V Server Supported
Another hypervisor, in a configuration validated through the Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP) Supported. Microsoft works with the hypervisor vendor
Another hypervisor, in a configuration not validated through SVVP Limited or none. Microsoft may ask you to reproduce the problem outside the virtual environment
Any SQL Server version that's out of support, on any hypervisor Limited or none

Three points from the same policy catch people out:

  • Snapshots: VM snapshots that don't use VSS aren't supported, because they can leave SQL Server in an inconsistent state. VSS-aware backups, such as Hyper-V backup, are supported.
  • Hyper-V Replica: supported only with write-order preservation turned on, and not for availability groups, database mirroring, failover cluster instances, log shipping or replication.
  • Everything else: any feature the policy and the product documentation don't restrict is supported on the same terms as physical hardware.

If your hypervisor isn't Hyper-V, check that your configuration is on Microsoft's SVVP list before you rely on Microsoft support for SQL Server.

Why ComputeCloud

Check our work first

  • Azure first, on-premises too
  • Upgrades planned before support ends
  • No obligation

  • 12 Oct 2027

    SQL Server 2017 end of extended support. CU31 was its last cumulative update

    Microsoft Lifecycle

  • 17 Sep 2027

    Automated Patching for SQL Server on Azure VMs retires. Azure Update Manager replaces it

    Microsoft Learn

  • 31

    Microsoft 365 licensing changes, each with a Microsoft source

    Licensing changes

Delivered in partnership with Focus Group, our Microsoft delivery partner.

About us

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Read: your SQL Server 2016 options

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Questions

Email the team
Which SQL Server versions are still supported?

Microsoft supports four SQL Server versions. SQL Server 2017 is supported until 12 October 2027, 2019 until 8 January 2030, 2022 until 11 January 2033 and 2025 until 6 January 2036. Only 2022 and 2025 are still in mainstream support with cumulative updates. 2017 and 2019 get security updates. Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance follow Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy, so they have no fixed end date. On SQL Server 2016 or older, support has ended, and the work is an upgrade or a move to Azure.

Does Microsoft support SQL Server on virtual machines?

Yes, within limits. Microsoft supports SQL Server on Hyper-V in a supported Windows Server version, on Azure Virtual Machines and Azure VMware Solution, and on other hypervisors whose configuration is validated through its Server Virtualization Validation Program (SVVP). The SQL Server version must also still be in support. Elsewhere, Microsoft may give limited or no support. VM snapshots that don't use VSS aren't supported for SQL Server.

Microsoft's support policy for virtualised SQL Server

Do Azure SQL Database and Managed Instance still need support?

Less than a server does. Microsoft patches the database engine and operating system, takes automatic backups and runs high availability. Microsoft says you still administer databases and logins, index and query tuning, and auditing and security. We help with backup retention, restore tests, disaster recovery and monitoring. Query tuning and database development stay with your developers or software supplier.

What's changing with patching for SQL Server on Azure VMs?

Automated Patching, a feature of the SQL IaaS Agent extension, retires on 17 September 2027. It only installs updates marked Important or Critical. Microsoft's replacement, Azure Update Manager, can also install cumulative updates on a schedule. Use one or the other, not both. Neither knows about availability groups, so patch each replica at a different time.

Azure Update Manager for SQL Server VMs

Do you support on-premises SQL Server?

Yes. Our focus is Azure, but we also support SQL Server on your own servers and virtual machines, remotely and on-site. Connecting SQL Server 2014 or later to Azure Arc is free and puts every instance in one inventory in the Azure portal. Arc's best practices assessment, automatic updates and monitoring (in preview) need Software Assurance, a SQL Server subscription or pay-as-you-go licensing.

SQL Server enabled by Azure Arc

How is this different from managed Azure?

Managed Azure looks after your whole Azure estate, from monitoring and patching to backup checks and cost reviews. SQL Server support goes deeper on SQL Server itself, in Azure or on-premises, covering versions, patch levels, backups and restores, high availability and disaster recovery.

Managed Azure

Can you move SQL Server into Azure?

Yes. We move SQL Server to Azure SQL Managed Instance, Azure SQL Database or SQL Server on an Azure VM, and plan upgrades off versions near the end of support. Our guide compares the three targets and the migration steps.

How to migrate SQL Server to Azure

What does SQL Server support cost?

The assessment is free. Support comes with a written proposal and price first.

Sources (21). Facts checked .