How can I tell what SQL Server instances are installed?

How do I find SQL instances?

Identify the SQL Server instance name1Open a command prompt window.2Execute: services.msc.3Scroll down to entries beginning with SQL.4Locate an entry for each installed named SQL Server (instancename) . The value in parenthesis is the instance name.

How can I tell if SQL Server instance is running?

To check the status of the SQL Server Agent:1Log on to the Database Server computer with an Administrator account.2Start Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.3In the left pane, verify the SQL Server Agent is running.4If the SQL Server Agent is not running, right-click SQL Server Agent, and then click Start.5Click Yes.

How do I find my SQL instance name in the registry?

From a Command Prompt, type regedit.exe, and press [ENTER]. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >> SOFTWARE >> Microsoft >> Microsoft SQL Server >> Instance Names. Each instance installed on the server possesses a key inside a folder under this registry entry.

How many SQL Server instances can be installed?

You can install as many as 50 SQL Server instances on a Windows Server; obviously, we do not recommend this. In a Windows failover cluster, the maximum number of SQL Server instances is reduced by half if you're using shared cluster drives. Only one of the SQL Server instances on a server can be the default instance.