Just the SSMS Mama, just the SSMS... (Getting just SQL Server 2012 SQL Server Management Studio)

STRATE SQL - Get Just The Tools: SSMS Download

Ever jump on a machine to connect to a SQL Server and find out… whoops! No tools.  For some reason, the client machine doesn’t have SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) installed.  Now I’m not talking about not having the SSMS installed on the server, but on the local workstation that you need to connect to the server with.

No tools has happened to me many times and, in fact, happened to me this past week.  In the past, this would mean running around trying to get find the client’s SQL Server installation media.  Maybe downloading a 4+ GB ISO of the entire SQL Server installation from TechNet.  Or, hopefully, making sure the client had USB ports open on their machines and that I had my installation media backup drive with me.  A lot of things that were more work than one would like.

With the release of SQL Server 2012 Service Pack 1, there is a new option on the table.  Instead of downloading everything, you can download just the management tools through the Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Express download page....

Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) Express

 

This came in real handy today. Came in and got a question about how to get just the SSMS for 2012. Got to love the inter-tubes!

BTW, don't let the "Express" through you. As far as I can tell, it's the full thing...