I've installed SQL Server management studio 22, but I do not know how to set up or specify a server name

Question

Harvey Fram 0

I'm not able to find the "snap-in" for SQL server on my PC

Harvey Fram 0 Reputation points

2026-01-14T22:42:21.02+00:00

even using "localhost" or MSQLSERVER\localhost or <mycomputername>\localhost does not connect as my server name.
Stanislas Tshilumba 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T16:59:09.37+00:00

Have installed both SSMS and SQL server... But still...
Dinesh Yadlapalli 85 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-17T13:13:01.55+00:00

Hi @Stanislas Tshilumba ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Q & A forum.

Are you facing the same issue which was posted by @Harvey Fram , could you please provide more information regarding the issue.

Regards,

Dinesh

Answer recommended by moderator

0 additional answers

Harvey Fram 0 Reputation points

2026-01-14T22:42:21.02+00:00

even using "localhost" or MSQLSERVER\localhost or <mycomputername>\localhost does not connect as my server name.
Stanislas Tshilumba 0 Reputation points

2026-04-16T16:59:09.37+00:00

Have installed both SSMS and SQL server... But still...
Dinesh Yadlapalli 85 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-04-17T13:13:01.55+00:00

Hi @Stanislas Tshilumba ,

Thank you for reaching out to the Q & A forum.

Are you facing the same issue which was posted by @Harvey Fram , could you please provide more information regarding the issue.

Regards,

Dinesh

Answer 1

Erland Sommarskog 136.8K MVP Volunteer Moderator

If you only have SQL Server Management Studio server on your computer, you will need to find an SQL Server instance to connect to.

If you are in a corporate environment, you will have to ask your IT people or manager which instance to use.

If you have installed SSMS on your private laptop, this not taking you very far. You also need to install SQL Server. You can find it here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/sql-server-2025-download