How do I connect to a server using SSMS 2008 R2 Express

Question

I couldn't find any server name in the "Connect to server"... I tired .\SQLSERVER, ., local, localhost... I got an error message "cannot connect to ..."

I installed the trial version of SQL server 2008 R2 Express. Installation was a success. I don't know what I missed.

Should I create a new sql server instance ?

Thanks.

Answer 1

Did you install the SQL Server engine, or just the management studio?

By default, SQL Server Express will install as SQLEXPRESS named instance - so using .\SQLEXPRESS or (local)\SQLEXRPESS as the server/instance name should connect you to that instance