Windows Software Versions

Windows 7 will be build 6.1.7600.16385. SQL Server 2008 SP1 with Cumulative Rollup 3 applied has a build number of 10.00.2723. Who cares, right? Well, as time goes on, you’ll probably run across a situation in which you need to know something deeper than just the service pack you’re running. In that instance, you’ll probably need to resort to using cryptic build numbers and matching up these build numbers against something that makes a little more sense. Scott Lowe brings you a list of dozens of versions of Windows, Exchange, and SQL Server and outlines the release date, version, and build number for each release.

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Here’s the scenario: You’re installing a new software product and can’t remember if you’re at SQL Server 2005 SP2 yet and that’s the database version required by the product you intend to install. After pausing the installation process, you connect to the database server, run a script, and get the version name and number. Alternatively, you look for the SQL version identifier and match it up against a resource you locate via the all-knowing Google. However, it can still be hard sometimes to figure out exactly where you stand with regard to SQL, Exchange, and even Windows.

There are a lot of common pieces of Microsoft software out there, and a lot of resources for finding exactly which version of software you’re running. Microsoft software internal version numbering is not generally well-known (e.g., Windows 7 will be build 6.1.7600.16385), but the overall product versions are understood (e.g., Windows Vista RTM, SP1, etc.). As another example, SQL version 9.00.4035 corresponds to SQL Server 2005 SP3 without any cumulative updates applied.

I’ve culled version information from various Web resources in an effort to help you more quickly and easily identify the exact versions of software that you may be running. To say that locating and verifying this information has been a relatively difficult undertaking would be a pretty accurate statement. Although there are resources out there that have some of the necessary information, I searched through, literally, dozens of sites to piece together the information you see below. While I believe (to the best of my ability) that the information is accurate, if you identify a discrepancy or if you have additional information that could be useful, please leave a comment. I intend to periodically review, update, and republish this piece as substantive changes are made. I’d also like to add additional products over time. You’ll notice that I focused on the Windows NT line of operating systems and have not included Windows 95 and its brethren; I plan to add that in the future.

The table below is broken down into four columns:

• Release date. This is the month and year in which a particular release was made available. Bear in mind that there can be multiple release dates. For example, is Windows 7 being released in August 2009 or October 2009? Well, it depends on how you look at it. The RTM bits will be available starting August 6, 2009, but general availability doesn’t hit until October 22, 2009. If anyone knows what the original release dates were for SQL Server 6.5, I’d be interested in adding that information to this page.
• Software title/branded version. For example, Windows XP, Exchange Server 2003
• Version. RTM, SP1, etc.
  • CU stands for Cumulative Update
  • CH stands for Cumulative Hotfix
  • RTM stands for Release to Manufacturing. I use RTM to describe the initial release of a product. Technically, every release has an RTM period, but RTM is commonly used in the manner in which I’ve described.
• Internal build number. The internal build number often causes confusion as it doesn’t always match the product name. For example, Windows 7 RTM has a build number of 6.1.7600.16385, thereby “proving” to some that Windows 7 is a minor release. The build number is simply an interval versioning mechanism. If you see any discrepancies in the build information, please leave a comment. Also, if you know where I can find additional build information (e.g., the complete Windows 2003 RTM build number), please let me know.