Performing a Silent Install of SQL Server Management Studio (2016)

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With the release of SQL Server 2016, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is now a stand-alone tool. It requires no licensing and can be downloaded without as much as registering. Because it is a separate download, it requires a separate installation.

The computer labs we manage have SQL Server installed, including Management Studio. Prior to SQL 2016, Management Studio came as part of the SQL Server ISO and silently installing SMSS was part of a silent install of SQL Server. This has changed now: the SQL Server 2016 ISO does not include SSMS anymore and therefore two separate silent installations are required. Note that silent or unattended installations of SQL Server haven’t changed in 2016.

Here is how to silently install SQL Server Management Studio:

  • Download the installer from https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/mt238290.aspx
  • Run the silent installer using the following command line:
SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /install /quiet /norestart

How did we arrive at these switches? By running:

SSMS-Setup-ENU.exe /?

You will be presented with a helpful dialog documenting the supported switches.

Performing a Silent Install of SQL Server Management Studio (2016)

Other supported modes are uninstall, repair, and layout. It is also possible to set the location of the log file created by the installer.