SQL Server Management Studio cannot connect using Windows Authentication

Question

I have installed SQL Server 2008 Management studio ONLY. When I tried connecting to my local server using Windows Authentication, I am not able to connect.

I don't remeber the instance name.

• How to know the instance name of my SQL Server?

Secondly, i tried connecting using but there is an error: A network related instance occured...

(.), (local), local, .\sqlexpress

I also searched SO and got same results set.

• Won't Management studio alone be enough to connect to local SQL?

Answer 1

The browse for more in management studio should tell you your instance name. If nothing is there, try looking at your services and ensure that "SQL Server" service is started. If you have a named instance, it will also show you your named instance in the services console. So if it shows:

SQL Server (MYINSTANCE)

You connect using:

.\MYINSTANCE