Azure SQL Database

Retirement: Always Encrypted with Intel SGX Enclaves

Always Encrypted with Intel SGX enclaves in Azure SQL Database will retire on October 31, 2027 as support for SGX-enabled DC-series hardware is phased out.

Generally Available: Azure SQL updates for late-September 2026

The following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL:

Public Preview: Migrate directly from Azure Arc to Azure SQL Database, including Hyperscale

You can now select Azure SQL Database, including Hyperscale, as a migration target directly from the database migration experience in Azure Arc.

Public Preview: Azure SQL updates for late-September 2026

In late September 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL:

Generally Available: Database DevOps in SSMS powered by SQL projects

In SSMS, you can now use Microsoft.Build.Sql projects to help you implement, manage, and collaborate on database changes, by providing a local definition of the database objects.

Public Preview: Azure SQL Database Hyperscale Serverless auto-pause and auto-resume

Auto-pause and auto-resume are now available in public preview for Azure SQL Hyperscale databases using the Serverless compute tier.

Public Preview: SQL Performance Monitoring for Azure SQL Database

The public preview of Microsoft-managed performance monitoring for Azure SQL Database is now available. You can now monitor Azure SQL Database without building custom collection scripts or correlating telemetry across disconnected tools.

Generally Available: SQL Formatter

You can now format SQL scripts directly in Visual Studio Code using SQL Formatter for more consistent, readable code. Customizable formatting options help you match your preferred coding style, so you can keep queries tidy without manual reformatting.

Public Preview: Microsoft SQL Agent Skills

Microsoft SQL Agent Skills help you get more accurate, product-specific guidance when using AI agents to build, operate, and migrate SQL workloads.

Generally Available: Vector search and vector indexes in Azure SQL

Vector search and vector indexes are now generally available in Azure SQL Database. Using the CREATE VECTOR INDEX and VECTOR_SEARCH T-SQL capabilities, you can perform efficient approximate nearest neighbor (ANN) searches for AI scenarios such as semantic search,…

Public Preview: Azure SQL Dev Hub

Azure SQL Dev Hub gives you a central starting point for building applications with Azure SQL, whether you’re developing directly or using AI agents.

Public Preview: Azure SQL updates for mid-September 2026

In mid-September 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL: Configure soft delete for the Azure SQL logical server. When the logical server is deleted, it goes into a soft deleted state and is self-restorable during the configured retention period.

Generally Available: Azure SQL updates for mid-August 2026

In mid-August 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL:

Public Preview: SQL Formatter in MSSQL extension

With SQL Formatter, you can format SQL scripts directly in your editor for cleaner, more consistent, and readable code. Now in public preview, it includes more customizable formatting options to match your preferred coding style and streamline development. Learn more.

Generally Available: Azure SQL Database provisioning in MSSQL extension

With Azure SQL Database provisioning, you can create and connect to a fully managed cloud database directly from your editor—at no cost.

Generally Available: Immutability to the most recent seven days of backups on Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance

To enhance backup protection, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance now automatically apply immutability to the most recent seven days of backups.

Public Preview: Azure SQL updates for late-July

In late-July 2026, the following update and enhancement was made to Azure SQL:

Public Preview: Azure SQL updates for mid-July 2026

In mid-July 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL:

Generally Available: SQL MCP Server

SQL MCP Server is now generally available, giving customers a secure, high-performance way to build agentic solutions with controlled access to production data.

Generally Available: Microsoft Entra server principals on Azure SQL Database

Microsoft Entra server principals (logins) for Azure SQL Database is now generally available. You can now use CREATE LOGIN... FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDER in the virtual master database, bringing parity with SQL logins for your Microsoft Entra identities.