---
title: "What's New in SQL Server 2016 | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: 
  - "SQL2016_New_Updated"
ms.date: "12/15/2016"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2016"
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keywords: 
  - "new sql server"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "new features [SQL Server]"
  - "SQL Server, what's new"
  - "SQL Server 2008 what's new"
  - "what's new [SQL Server]"
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author: "craigg-msft"
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---
# What's New in SQL Server 2016
 [!INCLUDE[ssSQL15_md](../includes/sssql15-md.md)] is the biggest leap forward in Microsoft data platform history. Gain real time insights across your transactional and analytical data with a scalable database platform that has everything built in, from unparalleled in-memory performance, new security innovations and high availability, to advanced analytics that make mission-critical applications intelligent.
 
 This topic summarizes links to the detailed [!INCLUDE[ssCurrent_md](../includes/sscurrent-md.md)] component level what's new information.   
 
  ![SQL Server 2016](../sql-server/media/sql-server-2016.png) 
 
[Read the SQL Server 2016 Editions datasheet](http://download.microsoft.com/download/8/A/2/8A2BC8C5-BBA0-4A9C-90BC-AC957D3454D9/SQL_Server_2016_Editions_datasheet.pdf)
 
    
 **Try SQL Server today!**    
 - Get the **free** [**SQL Server 2016 Developer edition!!**](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/cloud-platform/sql-server-editions-developers)
 
 
[![Download from Evaluation Center](../analysis-services/media/download.png)](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-sql-server-2016) Download SQL Server 2016 from the **[Evaluation Center](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-sql-server-2016)** 
    
[![Azure Virtual Machine small](../analysis-services/media/azure-virtual-machine-small.png)](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/partners/microsoft/sqlserver2016sp1standardwindowsserver2016/) Have an Azure account?  Then go **[Here](https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/marketplace/partners/microsoft/sqlserver2016sp1standardwindowsserver2016/)** to spin up a Virtual Machine with SQL Server 2016 SP1 already installed.  

 [![Download from Evaluation Center](../analysis-services/media/download.png)](https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt238290.aspx) [**Download the latest version of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)**](https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/mt238290.aspx).   

    
 ## What's new in SQL Server?
Links to individual topics:
 
 - [SQL Server setup](../database-engine/install-windows/installation-for-sql-server-2016.md)   
  
 - [Analysis Services Engine (SSAS)](../analysis-services/what-s-new-in-analysis-services.md)  
  
 - [Database Engine](../database-engine/configure-windows/what-s-new-in-sql-server-2016-database-engine.md)

 - [New SQL PowerShell module](https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/dataplatforminsider/2016/06/30/sql-powershell-july-2016-update/)
 
 - [Integration Services](../integration-services/what-s-new-in-integration-services-in-sql-server-2016.md)    
  
 - [Reporting Services (SSRS)](https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/ms170438.aspx)   
  
 - [Master Data Services (MDS)](../master-data-services/what-s-new-in-master-data-services-mds.md)    
       
 - [SQL Server R Services](../advanced-analytics/r-services/what-s-new-in-sql-server-r-services.md)    
      
  
    
## See Also    
 +   [SQL Server 2016 Release Notes](../sql-server/sql-server-2016-release-notes.md). 
+ [SQL Server 2016 datasheet](http://download.microsoft.com/download/C/5/3/C53C3AEF-653C-4598-8721-D522E8AC6A3A/SQL_Server_2016_Everything_Built-In_Datasheet_EN_US.pdf)
+ [Features supported by Editions of SQL Server](https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/cc645993.aspx)
 + [Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2016](../sql-server/install/hardware-and-software-requirements-for-installing-sql-server.md)
 + [Install SQL Server 2016 from the Installtion Wizard](../database-engine/install-windows/install-sql-server-from-the-installation-wizard-setup.md)
 [Setup and Servicing Installation](http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/6df72a78-6b36-4bc1-948e-04b4ebe46094)