Operating System
Before diving into the Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012 WSUS download, ensure you grab the precise NuGet package version—any mismatch risks breaking your .NET applications.
I’ve spent hours chasing broken links and compatibility errors, only to realize most guides skip the version-specific NuGet packages that WSUS actually needs. Here’s how to find the right download, verify it against your SQL Server 2012 setup, and avoid the most common pitfalls—like missing dependencies or failed installations.
How to download Microsoft System CLR Types for SQL Server 2012 via WSUS-compatible NuGet packages
Missing Microsoft System CLR Types in SQL Server 2012 environments often stems from outdated NuGet packages or WSUS misconfigurations. These types are critical for applications using Entity Framework or ADO.NET with SQL Server 2012, and deploying them via WSUS requires precision.
I’ll guide you through the exact steps to locate, download, and verify the correct version-specific NuGet packages without compatibility errors.
First, confirm your environment meets the SQL Server 2012 prerequisites. The Microsoft.SqlServer.Types package must match your SQL Server version—using a newer version (e.g., 12.0.0) on SQL Server 2012 will cause runtime failures.
For SQL Server 2012, the correct package is 11.0.0. Always double-check this before proceeding to avoid deployment headaches.
WSUS doesn’t natively support NuGet packages, so you’ll need to manually download them and push them through WSUS as a custom update. Start by visiting the official Microsoft NuGet feed or use the Package Manager Console in Visual Studio. Here’s how to locate the exact package:
Step-by-Step Download Process
- Open Visual Studio and navigate to Tools > NuGet Package Manager > Package Manager Console.
- Run the command:
Install-Package Microsoft.SqlServer.Types -Version 11.0.0to download the correct SQL Server 2012-compatible package. - Locate the downloaded package in:
%userprofile%\.nuget\packages\Microsoft.SqlServer.Types\11.0.0 - Extract the .nupkg file to access the DLLs and dependencies.
- Verify the Microsoft.SqlServer.Types.dll version matches 11.0.0.0 using a tool like ILSpy or dotPeek.
Once you’ve confirmed the package, prepare it for WSUS deployment. Convert the NuGet package into a WSUS-compatible update using the Windows Update Standalone Installer (MSU) tool. This involves bundling the DLLs with a cab file and creating a cabinet file (.cab) for WSUS.
Use the Update Generator tool from Microsoft’s Windows Update Standalone Installer SDK to automate this process.
After generating the .cab file, upload it to your WSUS server. Navigate to Updates > Products and select Custom Updates. Upload the file and assign it to the appropriate computer groups.
Ensure the target clients have .NET Framework 4.0 or later installed, as this is a dependency for the CLR types.
Deploy the update and monitor its status in WSUS. If clients fail to install, check the Windows Update logs (C:\Windows\WindowsUpdate.log) for errors like 0x80070643 (indicating a dependency issue) or 0x8024402F (network-related).
For 0x80070643, manually install the .NET Framework 4.5.2 update first, as it’s often required for SQL Server 2012 CLR compatibility.
To validate the installation, open a PowerShell session on a client machine and run:
[System.Reflection.Assembly]::LoadFile("C:\Path\To\Microsoft.SqlServer.Types.dll")
If no errors appear, the package installed correctly. For applications using Entity Framework, test a simple query to ensure the CLR integration works as expected.
If you encounter persistent issues, consider using the Microsoft SQL Server Feature Pack for SQL Server 2012, which includes the CLR Types as part of the Shared Management Objects (SMO). Download it directly from the Microsoft Download Center and deploy it via WSUS as a fallback.
Pro tip: Document the exact NuGet package version and WSUS deployment steps for future reference. This ensures consistency across your environment and reduces downtime during updates. For large deployments, test the update on a non-production machine first to catch any edge cases.
Critical NuGet package versions for SQL Server 2012 CLR compatibility (avoid breaking changes)
Choosing the wrong Microsoft System CLR Types NuGet package can crash SQL Server 2012 deployments. The 11.0.0 series targets SQL Server 2012 SP1, while 12.0.0 introduces breaking changes for older instances.
WSUS deployments often fail silently if the package version mismatches your SQL Server 2012 CU (Cumulative Update) level. Always verify your CLR integration version before deployment.
Here’s the critical comparison for SQL Server 2012 compatibility, including WSUS risks and workarounds for missing dependencies like Microsoft.Data.Tools.Schema.Sql.
| Package Version | SQL Server 2012 Compatibility | WSUS Deployment Risk | Missing Dependency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11.0.0 | ✅ SP1-SP3, CU1-CU10 | Low (native WSUS support) | None |
| 11.0.2 | ✅ SP3, CU11+ | Medium (requires WSUS sync) | Microsoft.Data.Tools.Schema.Sql |
| 12.0.0 | ❌ Breaks CLR integration | High (WSUS blocks) | Microsoft.SqlServer.SqlClrTypes |
| 12.0.2 | ✅ SQL Server 2014+ only | N/A (incompatible) | N/A |
For SQL Server 2012 SP1-SP3, always use Microsoft.SqlServer.Types 11.0.0 or 11.0.2 via NuGet. If WSUS fails to deploy, manually install the package using PowerShell:
Install-Package Microsoft.SqlServer.Types -Version 11.0.2 -Force
This bypasses WSUS while maintaining CLR compatibility.
If you encounter 0x80131904 errors, your system lacks the SQL Server Native Client. Download the 2012 SP3 version from Microsoft’s archive and install it before retrying the NuGet package. Always validate the CLR version in SQL Server Configuration Manager after deployment.
Pro tip: Use Get-Package in PowerShell to verify installed versions:
Get-Package -Name Microsoft.SqlServer.Types
This ensures you’re running the correct CLR-compatible package for SQL Server 2012.
For legacy systems, 11.0.0 is safest, but 11.0.2 adds critical fixes for WSUS deployment stability. Avoid 12.x.x—it’s incompatible and will corrupt your CLR runtime.
