Problem: Using Microsoft Sql Server Management Studio cannot connect to Sql Server Express 2008 R2

You get this error message.

Cannot connect to (local).
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server. The server was not found or was not accessible. Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configured to allow remote connections. (provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server) (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 53)

For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=53&LinkId=20476

Answer: Change the Server Name to the one you are using on your computer, which probably is .\SQLEXPRESS

If the message says:

Cannot connect to (local).

Notice the (local) part of the message. You did not change the Server Name in the connect form. Change the Server Name to the name of Sql Express on your computer.

You can find your Server Name by going into Services and looking for Sql Server.