>1. What am I missing in being able to use SQL Server Native Client 11.0 driver without a problem?
>2. I create connection string based on the driver value in XML configuration file. And I see that I replaced the old ODBC driver with the Native Client Driver. Just in case, I miss something, can the VFP 9 code determine what is in fact the SQL server being used?

The end is near. Microsoft has fixed a bug in an old product.