Sign in to an instance of SQL Server (Command Prompt)

Applies to: SQL Server

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

Sign 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]

Sign 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

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