Overview

Starting with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 22.3,  SQL Search versions 3.9.4 or below causes SSMS to crash during startup or when Object Explorer in SSMS is accessed.

SQL Search 3.9.5 includes fixes to ensure compatibility with SSMS 22.3, along with installer changes to warn users and prevent unexpected crashes.

This issue affects only SSMS 22. Earlier SSMS versions (SSMS 21 and below) are not impacted.

What caused this issue

SSMS 22.3 introduced changes to internal components used by extensions. Versions of SQL Search 3.9.4 or below depend on earlier version of these components.

When loaded in SSMS 22.3, this mismatch causes SSMS to crash during startup or when Object Explorer in SSMS is accessed.

What users need to do

If you are using SSMS 22.3

• Upgrade to SQL Search 3.9.5

If you are using SSMS 22.2 or below

• SQL Search version 3.9.4 or below will continue to work.
• Do not upgrade to SQL Search 3.9.5 until SSMS is updated to version 22.3

Installer changes in SQL Search 3.9.5

When installing SQL Search 3.9.5, the installer checks for installed SSMS version. You can download the latest version of SQL Search from this page.

If SSMS version 22.2 or below is detected

• A compatibility warning is shown during installation
• You can choose to continue by clicking on OK button

If you click OK

• SQL Search installs successfully
• It will not work in SSMS 22 until SSMS is updated to 22.3 and SQL Search is reinstalled
• SQL Search continues to work in SSMS 21 and earlier, and Visual Studio

If you cancel, the installation does not proceed and no changes are made.

If SSMS 22.3 is detected

• No warning is shown
• Installation proceeds normally

Important: Other Redgate Tools and SSMS 22.3

The following Redgate products are now compatible with SSMS 22.3

• SQL Prompt - Learn More.
• SQL Test - Learn More.
• SQL Doc - Learn More.
• SQL Dependency Tracker - Learn More.
• SQL Data Generator - Learn More.

What this means for users

• If SQL Search is installed alongside the above Redgate tools in SSMS 22.3, ensure that compatible versions of all tools are installed, as specified in their respective documentation.

Summary

• SQL Search 3.9.5 supports SSMS 22.3
• SQL Search versions 3.9.4 or below will continue to work with SSMS version 22.2 or below
• SSMS 21 and earlier, and Visual Studio, are unaffected.
• SQL Search versions 3.9.4 or below will crash SSMS 22.3 during startup or when Object explorer is used.
• SQL Search 3.9.5 does not load in SSMS 22 version earlier than 22.3