SQL Server 2008 R2 can't connect to local database in Management Studio

sql-server sql-server-2008-r2
joe picture joe · Feb 16, 2014 · Viewed 152.2k times · Source

I am using SQL Server 2008 R2 Express.

I first installed SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Management Studio and then I installed SQL Server 2008 R2 Express. I have the instance SQLEXPRESS running and it is set to automatic.

I am trying to connect to it locally using Windows authentication - server name is set to local and the username is grayed out and set to my profile username.

When I try to connect I get the following error:

enter image description here

Have I installed the wrong SQL Server Management Studio?

Answer

marc_s picture marc_s · Feb 16, 2014

If your instance is called SQLEXPRESS, then you need to use .\SQLEXPRESS or (local)\SQLEXPRESS or yourMachineName\SQLEXPRESS as your server name - if you have a named instance, you need to specify that name of the instance in your server name.

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