Log In to an Instance of SQL Server (Command Prompt)

Article
04/01/2012

This topic describes how to test connectivity to an instance of SQL Server, use the sqlcmd utility.

To log in to the default instance of SQL Server

From a command prompt, enter the following command to connect by using Windows Authentication:
```
sqlcmd [ /E ] [ /S servername ]
```

To log in to a named instance of SQL Server

From a command prompt, enter the following command to connect by using Windows Authentication:
```
sqlcmd [ /E ] /S servername\instancename
```

Arrow icon used with Back to Top link [Top]

See Also

Reference