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VersionSQL menu missing in SSMS 21/22 (non-standard install path) ​

VersionSQL registers itself with SSMS 21/22 by copying a small "package definition" file (.pkgdef) into SSMS's Extensions folder. If SSMS 21/22 is installed in a non-default location, the installer may not detect it and the .pkgdef files remain in the VersionSQL install folder.

Symptoms ​

  • VersionSQL installed successfully, but it does not appear in SSMS 21/22.
  • Reinstalling does not help.

Where the installer leaves the PKGDEF files ​

If SSMS 21/22 is not detected, the files are left here:

  • SSMS 21: C:\Program Files (x86)\VersionSQL\VersionSQL.pkgdef
  • SSMS 22: C:\Program Files (x86)\VersionSQL\VersionSQL22.pkgdef

Step 1: Identify your SSMS install path ​

The easiest way is to locate SSMS.exe:

  • Start menu → search "SQL Server Management Studio"
  • Right-click → "Open file location"
  • Right-click the shortcut → "Open file location" again
  • Locate SSMS.exe and copy its full path
  • The extension folder is next to SSMS.exe under Common7\IDE\Extensions.

Step 2: Copy the PKGDEF file into the SSMS Extensions folder ​

Before copying:

  • Close SSMS completely.
  • You may need administrator rights to write under C:\Program Files\....

For each SSMS version you use:

  • Create this folder if it doesn't exist:
    • <folder containing SSMS.exe>\Extensions\VersionSQL\
  • Copy the correct .pkgdef file into that folder and ensure the destination file name is VersionSQL.pkgdef.

That means:

  • SSMS 21
    • Copy C:\Program Files (x86)\VersionSQL\VersionSQL.pkgdef
    • To <folder containing SSMS.exe>\Extensions\VersionSQL\VersionSQL.pkgdef
  • SSMS 22
    • Copy C:\Program Files (x86)\VersionSQL\VersionSQL22.pkgdef
    • To <folder containing SSMS.exe>\Extensions\VersionSQL\VersionSQL.pkgdef (rename on copy)

Example destinations (default installs):

  • SSMS 21:
    • C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 21\Release\Common7\IDE\Extensions\VersionSQL\VersionSQL.pkgdef
  • SSMS 22:
    • C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 22\Release\Common7\IDE\Extensions\VersionSQL\VersionSQL.pkgdef

Step 3: Rescan extensions (SSMS 22 only) ​

SSMS 22 does not scan for extension changes on startup. After copying the file, run once in an administrator command prompt:

  • "<full path to SSMS.exe>" /setup

Then start SSMS normally again.

Verification ​

  • Restart SSMS.
  • Confirm VersionSQL appears in the UI.

If it still does not load:

  • Run SSMS with /log and check ActivityLog.xml for package load errors.
  • Contact support at [email protected].