How to install and open SQL Server Management Studio?
Solved SQL & Databases
BA
Barry Allen
June 18, 2019
2 replies
7,120 views
Reviewed by moderators

New to SQL Server. Installed the database engine but there is no Management Studio anywhere in the Start menu. I thought SSMS came with SQL Server. Where is it?

Accepted Answer
Verified by Mariya Beckham, Database Moderator ยท Reviewed June 2019

SSMS ships separately from the engine now, that trips up everyone new.

1
Download SQL Server Management Studio as its own free installer from Microsoft. It is a standalone product, not a checkbox in the engine setup.
2
Install it, then launch from Start, Microsoft SQL Server Tools.
3
Connect to your instance. Local default is just the machine name or .\SQLEXPRESS for an Express install. Use Windows Authentication first.

Separate download, obvious in hindsight. Connected to my Express instance. Solved.