Microsoft Master Data Services End of Life: Removed in SQL Server 2025, Supported Only While SQL Server 2022 Is
Master Data Services (MDS) has no end-of-life date of its own — it inherits the one for the SQL Server that hosts it, and there is no host after SQL Server 2022. Microsoft's documentation is explicit: MDS is removed in SQL Server 2025 (17.x), and Microsoft continues to support it in SQL Server 2022 (16.x) and earlier. That makes SQL Server 2022's dates the MDS dates: mainstream support ends January 11, 2028, extended (security-only) support ends January 11, 2033. Every MDS deployment is now on a platform that cannot be upgraded past 2022 without losing the feature.
This page is the reference for the dates that apply to MDS on each SQL Server version, what “removed” means for an upgrade plan, how to confirm you have it, and the realistic replacements. SQL Server's own lifecycle is on the SQL Server product page.
Key Dates at a Glance
- SQL Server 2025: released 2025-11-18 — Master Data Services removed; mainstream support ends 2031-01-06; extended support ends 2036-01-06
- SQL Server 2022: mainstream support ends 2028-01-11; extended support ends 2033-01-11 — the last version with Master Data Services
- SQL Server 2019: mainstream support ended 2025-02-28; extended support ends 2030-01-08
- SQL Server 2016 SP3: extended support ended 2026-07-14; Extended Security Updates end 2029-07-17
What “Removed in SQL Server 2025” Means
Under Microsoft's lifecycle definitions, removed is stronger than deprecated: the feature is not shipped in the release at all. A SQL Server 2025 instance has no MDS feature to install, no Master Data Manager web application and no MDS database schema support. Practically: an in-place upgrade of an MDS host to SQL Server 2025 is not an option, and a migration of the rest of the estate to 2025 has to leave the MDS database behind on a 2022 instance — which then carries its own January 2028 / January 2033 clock.
MDS Dates by Host SQL Server Version
| Host | MDS present | Mainstream support ends | Extended support ends | Status (Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2025 | No — removed | Jan 6, 2031 | Jan 6, 2036 | Supported |
| SQL Server 2022 | Yes — last version | Jan 11, 2028 | Jan 11, 2033 | Supported |
| SQL Server 2019 | Yes | Feb 28, 2025 | Jan 8, 2030 | Extended (security only) |
| SQL Server 2016 SP3 | Yes | Jul 13, 2021 | Jul 14, 2026 (ESU to Jul 17, 2029) | EOL |
The SQL Server 2016 row matters because MDS estates skew old: 2016 passed end of extended support on July 14, 2026, and is now patched only under paid Extended Security Updates. The full 2016 story is in SQL Server 2016 end of life.
How to Check Whether You Run MDS
- SQL Server feature list on the instance (Installation Center → installed features, or the
Master Data Servicesentry in SQL Server Configuration Manager). - The MDS database on the instance (commonly named
MDS) and the Master Data Manager web application in IIS. - The Master Data Services Configuration Manager tool, installed with the feature.
The hosting SQL Server version decides the dates; SELECT @@VERSION tells you which row of the table above you are on. The EOL Checker maps a SQL Server version to its status and dates.
Your Options
- Consolidate MDS onto SQL Server 2022 if it is on 2016 or 2019, and plan the replacement against January 11, 2028.
- Replace the function. Microsoft Purview's data-governance capabilities or Dataverse for stewardship-style use; a dedicated MDM platform (several import MDS models directly) for application master data. Budget the migration like a data project, not a database upgrade.
- Run out the clock deliberately. Legitimate for a small, stable model: keep MDS on 2022 under extended support to January 2033, document the decision, and retire it with the host.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Master Data Services end of life?
Master Data Services (MDS) is removed from SQL Server 2025 (17.x); Microsoft states it continues to support MDS in SQL Server 2022 (16.x) and earlier. So MDS has no separate end-of-life date — it ends with the SQL Server version that hosts it. On SQL Server 2022 that means mainstream support to January 11, 2028 and extended support (security fixes only) to January 11, 2033. There is no MDS in any later SQL Server.
What is the last SQL Server version with Master Data Services?
SQL Server 2022 (16.x). SQL Server 2025 (17.x), released November 18, 2025, does not include MDS. An MDS environment therefore cannot be upgraded in place to SQL Server 2025; the MDS database can be hosted on 2022 until its support ends while the master-data function moves elsewhere.
How long do I have if I run Master Data Services on SQL Server 2022?
Until January 11, 2033 at the outside — SQL Server 2022's extended-support end — with mainstream support (non-security fixes, new features) ending January 11, 2028. Plan the replacement against 2028, not 2033: after mainstream ends the platform is security-only, and MDS itself has received no functional investment since its removal was decided.
What about MDS on SQL Server 2019 or 2016?
SQL Server 2019 is in extended support until January 8, 2030 (mainstream ended February 28, 2025); SQL Server 2016 reached end of extended support on July 14, 2026 and is now only covered under paid Extended Security Updates to July 17, 2029. MDS on either inherits those dates; the sensible move is to host the MDS database on SQL Server 2022 while the replacement is built.
What replaces Master Data Services?
Microsoft has not shipped a like-for-like MDS successor in SQL Server. Organisations typically move master-data management to Microsoft Purview's data-governance capabilities or Dataverse-based solutions, or to a third-party MDM platform (Profisee, Semarchy, Informatica and others — several of which were built to import MDS models). The choice depends on whether the workload was data stewardship (Purview) or application master data (MDM platform).
How do I check whether I have Master Data Services installed?
MDS is a feature of SQL Server installed via Master Data Services Configuration Manager; it appears as an MDS database (commonly named MDS) on the instance and an IIS site for Master Data Manager. Check SQL Server Configuration Manager → installed features, the instance for the MDS database, and IIS for the Master Data Manager web application; the SQL Server version hosting it decides the dates.
Related Resources
- SQL Server product page — live dates and risk scores for every version
- SQL Server 2016 end of life — the version most MDS estates still sit on
- EOL Watch · EOL Checker