Upcoming changes for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) - Part 1

sqlBender We migrated SSMS 20 to version 5.x of the Microsoft.Data.SqlClient driver because support for additional encryptions (via the driver) was added in SQL Server 2022, and we needed to bring that same encryption functionality to SSMS.  This offers customers improved security, which many companies consider extremely important.  We made multiple efforts to make customers of these changes prior to the release of SSMS 20, and encouraged customers to test SSMS 20 before using in production (also discussed in the second post: SSMS 20 connection dialog (microsoft.com)).  Waiting for changes to Central Management Servers to be implemented would have delayed support which companies required.  As noted in our posts and documentation, customers can continue to use SSMS 19.x.