SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a flexible tool. One thing that often surprises people is that it hosts a version of Microsoft Internet Explorer, right inside the application.
Why would SSMS have a web browser I hear you ask?
Well this web browser lets browse URLs, and reference links, without leaving the tool.
You can open it directly by choosing Web Browser from the View menu:
On my machine, it's under the Other Windows section. In fact, it's the only window there on my machine, which makes you wonder why it has a separate section in the first place.
It opens like any other tab:
In SSMS query tabs, you'll notice that there is an auto-detection of URLs and auto-formatting/linking of them:
If I execute that as a query, it doesn't get hyperlinked in the results:
Or on the Messages tab:
If you hover over the URL within the query though, you'll see that you can Ctrl-Click to open it:
If you use Ctrl-Click the link, it will open in the embedded web browser:
I'm hoping there will be an option to get a much more up-to-date browser though as support for Internet Explorer is waning everywhere.
Hi Dr Low,
When I try Ctl + Alt + R
I get;
This browser is no longer supported.
Upgrade to Microsoft Edge to take advantage of the latest features, security updates, and technical support
How can I change from Internet Explorer to Edge?
Thanks
Hi Leigh, today, unfortunately no. The product uses the older WinForm WebBrowser control, that is a wrapper over IE. I've asked them to consider replacing it with something like CefSharp (https://github.com/cefsharp/CefSharp/wiki/Quick-Start) or anything that can wrap a Chromium-based browser (including Edge). No idea if/when they'll do it, but that's what's needed.
Hi Greg, I appreciate your help. Could not find one other reference to this issue. Thanks!
You are most welcome. I'll let you know if I hear anything back.