Dynamics 365 Business Central originates from Navision, a suite of accounting applications which Microsoft acquired in 2002.

In September 2005 Microsoft re-branded the product and re-released it as Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

In December 2008 Microsoft released Dynamics NAV 2009, which contains both the original "classic" client, as well as a new three-tier GUI called the RoleTailored Client (RTC).

In October 2013, Microsoft released Dynamics NAV 2013, which was available with the RTC only, and introduced support for 64-bit Windows operating systems as well as a redesign of storing dimension sets, interoperability with SharePoint, and a web client.

In October 2014, Microsoft released Dynamics NAV 2015. This version's improvements feature the tablet client, document reporting using Microsoft Word, Bank Integration, and more.

In October 2015, Microsoft released NAV 2016 which feature enhancements in reporting and email integration, deferral accounting, posting preview function and more.

Microsoft continues to invest in Dynamics 365 Business Central and is now on an annual release cycle.

Below is the full list of versions since its acquisition:

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 1 2023:("22.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 2022:("21.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 1 2022:("20.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 2021:("19.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 1 2021:("18.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2 2020:("17.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 1 2020:("16.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Wave 2:("15.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Spring Release:("14.00")
• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central:("13.00")
• Dynamics NAV 2018:("11.00") 2018, ("12.00) 2018 R2
• Dynamics NAV 2017:("10.00") 2017
• Dynamics NAV 2016:("9.00") 2016
• Dynamics NAV 2015:("8.00") 2015
• Dynamics NAV 2013:("7.00") 2013, ("7.1") 2013 R2
• Dynamics NAV 2009:("6.00") 2009, 2009 SP1, 2009 R2
• Dynamics NAV 5.00
• Microsoft Business Solutions Navision 4.00
• Microsoft Business Solutions Navision 3.70
• Navision Attain 3.60
• Navision Attain 3.10
• Navision Attain 3.01
• Navision Solutions 3.00
• Navision Financials 2.65: Introducing the NAS (Navision Application Server)
• Navision Financials 2.60
• Navision Financials 2.50
• Navision Financials 2.00
• Navision Financials 1.00