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Applies to: 
SQL Server
This article describes how to save information for servers that you access frequently, by registering the server in the Registered Servers component of SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). A server can be registered before connecting, or once connected from Object Explorer.
There are two kinds of registered servers:
Local server groups
Use local server groups to easily connect to servers that you frequently manage. Local server groups are unique to each user.
For information about how to share registered server information, see:
- Export registered server information in SQL Server Management Studio
- Import registered server information in SQL Server Management Studio
Note
Use Windows Authentication whenever possible.
Central Management Servers
Central Management Servers store server registrations in the Central Management Server (CMS) instead of on the file system. After a Central Management Server has been registered, its existing registered servers will be automatically displayed. For more information about Central Management Servers, see Administer multiple servers using Central Management Servers.
SQL Server 2008 (10.0.x) and earlier versions can't be designated as a CMS.
Create a new registered server (local server groups)
If the Registered Servers tool window isn't visible in SQL Server Management Studio, select View > Registered Servers, or type Ctrl + Alt + G.
In Local Server Groups, right-click on a server group select New Server Registration....
The New Server Registration dialog box appears. Enter the information for the server on the General page.
Setting Description Server type When a server is registered from Registered Servers, the Server type box is read-only, and matches the type of server displayed in the Registered Servers pane. To register a different type of server, select Database Engine, Analysis Server, Reporting Services, or Integration Services on the Registered Servers toolbar before starting to register a new server. Server name For Server name, enter the fully qualified name of your SQL Server (you can also use localhost as the server name if you're connecting locally). If you're NOT using the default instance - MSSQLSERVER - you must enter in the server name and the instance name.
If you're unsure how to determine your SQL Server instance name, see Find SQL Server instance name.Authentication Windows Authentication is set as default.
You can also use SQL Server Authentication to connect. However, if you select SQL Server Authentication, a username and password are required.
Microsoft Entra authentication is available for SQL Server 2022 (16.x) and later versions. For step-by-step configuration instructions, see Tutorial: Set up Microsoft Entra authentication for SQL Server
For more information about authentication types, see Connect to Server (Login page) - Database Engine.Login The user ID from the server account used to sign in to the server. A login is required when using SQL Server Authentication. Password The password from the server account used to sign in to the server. A password is required when using SQL Server Authentication. Remember password Select to have SQL Server encrypt and store the password you entered. This option is displayed only if you have selected to connect using SQL Server Authentication. Encryption 1 Select the encryption level for the connection. The default value is Mandatory. Trust server certificate Check this option to bypass server certificate validation. The default value is False (unchecked), which promotes better security using trusted certificates. Host Name in Certificate The value provided in this option is used to specify a different, but expected, CN or SAN in the server certificate. 1 The default value is Mandatory in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 20. Strict (SQL Server 2022 and Azure SQL) encryption should be used for Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance. Strict (SQL Server 2022 and Azure SQL) encryption can be used for SQL Server when the instance has Force Strict Encryption enabled. In SQL Server Management Studio 21, this is called Strict (Minimum SQL Server 2022 and Azure SQL).
You can modify extra connection options by selecting Options. Examples of connection options include the connection timeout value, application intent, and the network protocol. This article uses default values for these fields.
Note
If you have stored the password and want to stop storing it, clear this check box, and then select Save.
After you complete all the fields, select Test to test the connection to the server.
Select Save to save the registered server settings.
Create a new registered server (Central Management Servers)
If the Registered Servers pane isn't visible in SQL Server Management Studio, select View > Registered Servers, or type Ctrl + Alt + G.
Within Central Management Servers, right-click on a CMS, or a server group, and select New Server Registration....
The New Server Registration dialog box appears. Enter the information for the server; this is the only information that is stored for a registered server in a CMS.
Setting Description Server name Enter the name of your SQL Server (you can also use localhost as the server name if you're connecting locally). If you're NOT using the default instance ( MSSQLSERVER), you must enter in the server name and the instance name.
If you're unsure how to determine your SQL Server instance name, see Find SQL Server instance name.Registered server name The default value is the same as the Server name. Change this to a more friendly or readable name if appropriate. Registered server description Description of the registered server. Select Save to save the registered server settings.