Does BarTender require Microsoft SQL Server Compact (SQL CE)?
Question
What is SQL Server Compact, and does BarTender require it?
Applicable to
BarTender 2016 and later.
Answer
Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0 SP1 is a free, embedded database that software developers can use for building ASP.NET websites and Windows desktop applications. Microsoft SQL Server Compact 4.0 SP1 is a required prerequisite for a properly functional BarTender suite. It's used by Integration Builder and Printer Maestro, so removal is not recommended.
In BarTender 2021 R9 and 2022, SQL Server Compact 4.0 has been replaced with the currently supported SQL Server Compact 4.0 SP1. Update to BarTender 2021 R9 or BarTender 2022 to make sure that SQL Server Compact is up to date.