SQL Server Configuration Manager is a tool to manage the services associated with SQL Server, to configure the network protocols used by SQL Server, and to manage the network connectivity configuration from SQL Server client computers. SQL Server Configuration Manager is installed with your SQL Server installation. SQL Server Configuration Manager is a Microsoft Management Console snap-in that is available from the Start menu, or can be added to any other Microsoft Management Console display. Microsoft Management Console (mmc.exe) uses the SQLServerManager<version>.msc file (such as SQLServerManager13.msc for SQL Server 2016 (13.x)) to open Configuration Manager. You will need the corresponding SQL Server Configuration Manager version to manage that particular version of SQL Server. Here are the paths to the last five versions when Windows is installed on the C drive
: Note
Because SQL Server Configuration Manager is a snap-in for the Microsoft Management Console program and not a stand-alone program, SQL Server Configuration Manager does not appear as an application in newer versions of Windows.
- Windows 10:
To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, on the Start Page, type SQLServerManager13.msc (for SQL Server 2016 (13.x)). For other versions of SQL Server, replace 13 with the corresponding number. Clicking SQLServerManager13.msc opens the Configuration Manager. To pin the Configuration Manager to the Start Page or Task Bar, right-click SQLServerManager13.msc, and then click Open file location. In the Windows File Explorer, right-click SQLServerManager13.msc, and then click Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
- Windows 8:
To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the Search charm, under Apps, type SQLServerManager<version>.msc such as SQLServerManager13.msc, and then press Enter.