As an Azure Data Studio user, I was surprised when an alert popped up informing me that Azure Data Studio (ADS) is being retired on February 28, 2026. The message included a link to Microsoft’s recent announcement.

Microsoft now recommends we transition to Visual Studio Code (VS Code) instead.

Why is Azure Data Studio Being Retired?

Azure Data Studio was introduced as a lightweight, cross-platform tool tailored for database professionals working with SQL Server, Azure SQL Database, and other data platforms. It provided a modern interface, integrated notebooks, and extensibility through extensions. However, over time, the overlap between Azure Data Studio and Visual Studio Code became increasingly apparent. Both tools shared similar architectures, extensibility models, and even some of the same extensions.

Microsoft has decided to consolidate its efforts around Visual Studio Code, which has become one of the most widely used code editors in the world. By focusing on VS Code, Microsoft aims to reduce redundancy, simplify its tooling ecosystem, and provide a more cohesive experience for developers who work across multiple programming languages and platforms, including databases.

What Does This Mean for Azure Data Studio Users?

For current Azure Data Studio users, this retirement means that the tool will no longer receive updates, new features, or bug fixes. While existing installations of Azure Data Studio will continue to function, Microsoft strongly recommends transitioning to Visual Studio Code to ensure access to the latest features, security updates, and extensions.

The good news is that transitioning to Visual Studio Code is a relatively smooth process. Many of the features and extensions available in Azure Data Studio are already available in VS Code, and Microsoft has been actively working to ensure that database developers can replicate their workflows in the new environment.

Why Visual Studio Code?

Visual Studio Code has become a powerhouse in the developer community, thanks to its lightweight design, extensive extension ecosystem, and cross-platform support. For database professionals, VS Code offers a robust set of tools and extensions that can replicate—and even enhance—the functionality of Azure Data Studio. Here are some of the reasons why Microsoft is recommending VS Code as the replacement:

• Extensibility: VS Code’s extension marketplace includes a wide range of database tools, such as the SQL Server (mssql) extension, which provides IntelliSense, query execution, and connection management for SQL Server and Azure SQL Database.
• Unified Development Experience: Developers who work with multiple programming languages and technologies can now manage their database workflows alongside their application code in a single tool.
• Cross-Platform Support: Like Azure Data Studio, VS Code is available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, ensuring a consistent experience across operating systems.
• Active Development: VS Code is one of Microsoft’s most actively developed tools, with frequent updates, new features, and a vibrant community contributing extensions and improvements.
• Integrated Notebooks: For users who relied on Azure Data Studio’s notebook feature, Microsoft recommends Polyglot Notebooks in Visual Studio Code.

How to Transition to Visual Studio Code

Microsoft has provided guidance to help Azure Data Studio users transition to Visual Studio Code. Here are the key steps to get started:

1. Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install VS Code from the official website: https://code.visualstudio.com/.
2. Install Database Extensions: Add the necessary extensions for database development, such as the SQL Server (mssql) extension for SQL Server and Azure SQL Database. Other extensions are also available depending on your DBMS.
3. Migrate Connections and Settings: Export your connection profiles and settings from Azure Data Studio and import them into VS Code. Microsoft has provided documentation to assist with this process.
4. Explore New Features: Take advantage of VS Code’s broader ecosystem, including version control integration, debugging tools, and support for multiple programming languages.
5. Leverage the Community: Join the VS Code community to learn tips, tricks, and best practices from other developers and database professionals.

Looking Ahead

The retirement of Azure Data Studio might be a bit of a downer if you’re an avid ADS user like myself. But it also represents an opportunity to embrace a more versatile and powerful tool in Visual Studio Code. By consolidating its efforts around VS Code, Microsoft is trying to ensure that developers have access to a unified, extensible, and future-proof platform for all their development needs.

As the transition unfolds, Microsoft has committed to providing resources, documentation, and support to help users make the switch seamlessly. If you’ve relied on Azure Data Studio in the past, perhaps now is the time to start exploring Visual Studio Code and discovering how it can enhance your database development workflows.