How to: Start an Instance of SQL Server (net Commands)

The Microsoft SQL Server service can be started by using Microsoft Windows net commands.

Note

SQL Server running on a cluster is best managed by using Cluster Administrator. For more information, see Using SQL Server Tools with Failover Clustering.

To start the default instance of SQL Server

  1. From a command prompt, enter one of the following commands:

    net start "SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)"

    -or-

    net start MSSQLSERVER

To start a named instance of SQL Server

  1. From a command prompt, enter one of the following commands. Replace <instancename> with the name of the instance you want to manage.

    net start "SQL Server (instancename)"

    -or-

    net start **MSSQL$**instancename

To start SQL Server with startup options

  1. Add startup options to the end of the net start "SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)" statement, separated by a space. When started using net start, startup options use a slash (/) instead of a hyphen (-).

    net start "SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)" /f /m

    -or-

    net start MSSQLSERVER /f /m

    Note

    For more information about startup options, see Using the SQL Server Service Startup Options.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Start an Instance of SQL Server (SQL Server Configuration Manager)
How to: Start an Instance of SQL Server (SQL Server Management Studio)
How to: Start an Instance of SQL Server (sqlservr.exe)
How to: Pause and Resume an Instance of SQL Server (net Commands)
How to: Stop an Instance of SQL Server (net Commands)
How to: Change the Service Startup Account for SQL Server (SQL Server Configuration Manager)

Concepts

Stopping Services
Pausing and Resuming Services
Using the SQL Server Service Startup Options

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance