Provider=SQLNCLI11;Server=myServer\instance;Database=myDB;Trusted_Connection=yes;
Microsoft has deprecated SQL Server Native Client. It is no longer included with SQL Server after 2012 and is not recommended for new development. For new projects, use the Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server (MSOLEDBSQL) or ODBC Driver 17/18 for SQL Server . This write-up focuses on how to obtain SQLNCLI for legacy system support. Microsoft SQL Native Client: A Deep Technical Write-up on Acquisition & Legacy Deployment 1. What is SQL Server Native Client? Introduced in SQL Server 2005, the SQL Server Native Client (SQLNCLI) was a single dynamic-link library (DLL) containing both the OLE DB provider and ODBC driver for SQL Server. Prior to its existence, developers used SQLOLEDB (OLE DB) and SQLSRV32.DLL (ODBC), which relied on older technologies like Network Libraries (Net-Libraries) and were less efficient for newer SQL Server features. microsoft sql native client download
| Legacy Component | Modern Replacement | |------------------|--------------------| | SQLNCLI OLE DB | MSOLEDBSQL (Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server) | | SQLNCLI ODBC | ODBC Driver 17/18 for SQL Server | This write-up focuses on how to obtain SQLNCLI
Driver=SQL Server Native Client 11.0;Server=myServer;Database=myDB;Trusted_Connection=yes; | Issue | SQLNCLI10 (2008) | SQLNCLI11 (2012) | |--------|------------------|------------------| | TLS 1.2 | ❌ No | ❌ No (unless hotfixed) | | SHA-2 signed SQL Server certs | ❌ No | ❌ No (partial with hotfix) | | Azure SQL Database | ❌ Fails | ⚠️ Unsupported but may connect | | SQL Server 2022 | ❌ Fails | ❌ Untested, likely fails | | Windows 11 | ⚠️ Works but insecure | ⚠️ Works but insecure | Introduced in SQL Server 2005, the SQL Server