Database engine

SQL Server

The service that stores data and processes SQL queries. It can run without an editor window.

What it is for

A SQL Server database engine is what SSMS connects to. Installing SSMS alone does not create a database server.

Install it

For local learning, choose a suitable development edition from Microsoft’s SQL Server download page and install the Database Engine. Developer editions are for development and testing, not production use.
Record the instance name you choose during setup. Do not invent a server name later; use that name when connecting.

Official setup instructions ↗

Open it

Open SQL Server Configuration Manager, then SQL Server Services, to find the installed instance and its running state.
Open SSMS to connect and work with that instance.

Check it is installed — then verify

Where · SSMS Query Window

Connect to your local learning server → New Query. Check the database selector before Execute. Tool guide

Connect SSMS to your own local learning instance, open New Query, select master in the database selector, then execute this read-only query.

SELECT @@VERSION AS ServerVersion;

What you should see: The Results grid shows the database engine version. This confirms a connection to that instance, not just that SSMS is installed.

Try one small thing

Where · SSMS Query Window

Connect to your local learning server → New Query. Check the database selector before Execute. Tool guide

In the same local SSMS query window, select this query and click Execute.

SELECT 1 AS Ready;

What you should see: The Results grid contains Ready = 1. No table or data is changed.

If something looks different

Connection fails: confirm the instance name and that its service is running.
SSMS installed but no instance exists: install the Database Engine separately.
For authentication or certificate errors, check the official connection guidance; do not disable security on a real server just to get past an error.

Lessons using this tool

Some use it only for optional local practice. Each lesson explains what you actually need.

No published lesson requires this tool yet. This guide is ready for future follow-along tutorials.

Official help

Guide reviewed 2026-09-09. Menu labels can differ between versions.