SQL Server Resources

Updated: November 28, 2016

This article provides links to videos, samples and community resources for SQL Server 2016 and later.

Learn about new features in SQL Server

• What's new in SQL Server 2016.
• What's new in SQL Server vNext

SQL Server 2016 is the biggest leap forward in Microsoft's data platform history with real-time operational analytics, rich visualizations on mobile devices, built-in advanced analytics, new advanced security technology, and new hybrid cloud scenarios. Other benefits include enhanced in-memory performance, stretching OLTP data to Microsoft Azure, and simplified management of relational and non-relational data.

• Download SQL Server 2016 from the Evaluation Center.

• Have an Azure account? Then go Here to spin up a Virtual Machine with SQL Server 2016 SP1 already installed.

• Wide World Importers sample databases and scripts for SQL Server 2016 and Azure SQL Database
• SQL Server videos on Channel 9

The SQL community is strong and offers an amazing number of resources from education to connection. See what the SQL Server community is up to.

• SQL Server Team Blog

• SQL Server questions on Stack Overflow

• SQL Server Community Center

• SQL Server Tools Forum

• SSAS and Power Pivot Team Blog

• SQL Server Twitter Feed

• SQL Server Facebook Page

• PASS Events

• SQL Server on Reddit

• SQL Server 2016 Release Notes
• Hardware and Software Requirements for Installing SQL Server 2016
• SQL Server 2016 Product page on microsoft.com