---
title: Install SQL Server Servicing Updates
description: This article provides information about installing updates for SQL Server during a new installation or after SQL Server has been installed.
author: rwestMSFT
ms.author: randolphwest
ms.date: 06/03/2025
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: install
ms.topic: install-set-up-deploy
ms.custom:
  - intro-installation
monikerRange: ">=sql-server-2016"
---
# Install SQL Server servicing updates

[!INCLUDE [SQL Server -Windows Only](../../includes/applies-to-version/sql-windows-only.md)]

This article provides information about installing updates for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssNoVersion-md.md)]. This section provides the following information:

- Installing updates for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssNoVersion-md.md)] during a new installation
- Installing updates for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssNoVersion-md.md)] after it's installed.

Install the latest [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] updates in a timely manner to make sure that systems are up-to-date with the most recent security updates.

## Install updates for SQL Server during a new installation

[!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] setup integrates the latest product updates with the main product installation so that the main product and its applicable updates are installed at the same time. Product Update can search for the applicable updates from:

- [!INCLUDE [msCoName](../../includes/msconame-md.md)] Update
- Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
- A local folder
- A network share

After Setup finds the latest versions of the applicable updates, it downloads and integrates them with the current [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] setup process. Product Update can include a cumulative update, service pack, or service pack plus cumulative update.

## Install Updates for SQL Server after it's installed

On an installed instance of [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssNoVersion-md.md)], we recommend that you apply the latest security updates and critical updates including general distribution releases (GDRs), service packs (SPs), and cumulative updates (CUs). For more information, see the [March 2016 announcement on the SQL Server Incremental Servicing Model (ISM)](/archive/blogs/sqlreleaseservices/announcing-updates-to-the-sql-server-incremental-servicing-model-ism).

Starting with [!INCLUDE [ssSQL17](../../includes/sssql17-md.md)], we adopted a simplified, predictable mainstream servicing lifecycle, and service packs (SPs) are no longer available.

Only cumulative updates (CUs), and general distribution releases (GDRs) when needed.

For more information, see the [September 2017 announcement on the Modern Servicing Model for SQL Server (MSM)](/archive/blogs/sqlreleaseservices/announcing-the-modern-servicing-model-for-sql-server).

The [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] updates are available through [!INCLUDE [msCoName](../../includes/msconame-md.md)] Update (MU), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and the Microsoft Download Center. Security and Critical updates for [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] are available through [!INCLUDE [msCoName](../../includes/msconame-md.md)] Update, and you must opt in to MU to be able to see these updates using the Windows Update applet.

When you receive an update through [!INCLUDE [msCoName](../../includes/msconame-md.md)] Update, it updates all [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] features to the latest version in an unattended mode. If you need more flexibility or don't have internet or WSUS access, you must obtain the updates from the [!INCLUDE [msCoName](../../includes/msconame-md.md)] Download Center.

## Related content

- [Install SQL Server from the Installation Wizard (Setup)](install-sql-server-from-the-installation-wizard-setup.md)
- [Add Features to an Instance of SQL Server (Setup)](add-features-to-an-instance-of-sql-server-setup.md)
- [Repair a failed SQL Server installation](repair-a-failed-sql-server-installation.md)