Most systems require the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable . Ensure you have the version matching your system architecture (x64, x86, or ARM64).

Version 17.11.1 remains the most recent release for the 17.x branch for environments that require older compatibility. Which Version Should You Download?

The Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server is the primary native data access API for applications written in C and C++, providing a robust bridge for connecting to SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and Azure Synapse Analytics. Whether you are building new enterprise-grade applications or upgrading legacy systems, downloading and installing the correct driver version is a critical first step.

Choosing between Driver 18 and Driver 17 depends on your server environment and security needs: ODBC Driver 18 ODBC Driver 17 Full support for SQL Server 2022 Support for SQL Server 2019/2017 Authentication Enhanced Microsoft Entra (Azure AD) support Standard Azure AD support Side-by-Side Can be installed alongside Driver 17 Can be installed alongside Driver 13 Security Supports Always Encrypted and TLS 1.2+ Supports Always Encrypted for BCP API Installation Guide by Operating System Windows Installation