Older versions of SSMS (v18 and earlier) automatically installed the Native Client as a prerequisite.
The SQL Server Native Client can be downloaded from the Microsoft website. There are different versions available, depending on the SQL Server version and the operating system. ms sql native client download
This is the most common "final" version (v11). It is often required for legacy software that hasn't been updated to use modern drivers. Older versions of SSMS (v18 and earlier) automatically
In 2012, Microsoft announced a bombshell: Microsoft announced a bombshell: