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How To: Open SQL Server Configuration Manager

Owned by Aparajita Basu Roy
Sept 15, 2022
2 min read

This article describes how to open the SQL Server Configuration Manager. SQL Server Configuration Manager is used to start, pause, resume, or stop the services, to view service properties, or to change service properties.

Step-by-step guide

Follow the steps given below to access the SQL Server Configuration Manager

  1. Press the Win ‘Windows’ key and ‘R’ together. 

    IMPORTANT

    Windows key is the key between the Control and Alt key on the left hand side of the keyboard with a  sign on it.

  2. The Run window opens up.

  3. Type in sqlservermanager10.msc for (SQL Server 2008) or type sqlservermanager11.msc for (SQL Server 2012) in the box.

  4. Click OK.

  5. The SQL Server Configuration Manager opens up in a new window.

    Getting error while opening configuration manager? Visit the Microsoft article for Error "Cannot connect to WMI provider"

Alternatively follow the given path -


All Programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2008r2 > Configuration Tools > SQL Server Configuration Manager


Note: Currently GINESYS runs on SQL Server 2008 or above.

Important information

Since 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. Please follow the table below for latest Server and Windows versions.

Server VersionWindows 8Windows 10
SQL Server 2014sqlservermanager12.mscsqlservermanager12.msc
SQL Server 2016sqlservermanager13.mscsqlservermanager13.msc

For 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.

For Windows 10

  • To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, on the Start Page, type SQLServerManager13.msc (for SQL Server 2016 - For previous versions of SQL Server replace 13 with a appropriate smaller number).
  • Clicking SQLServerManager13.msc opens the Configuration Manager.
  • To pin the Configuration Manager to the Start Page or Task Bar, right-click SQLServerManager13
     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.