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scm-services-set-an-instance-to-start-automatically.md

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title Set an Instance to Start Automatically (SQL Server Configuration Manager)
description Find out how to set an instance of SQL Server to start automatically. Learn about the default configuration, and see how to set the start mode to automatic.
author rwestMSFT
ms.author randolphwest
ms.date 08/26/2025
ms.service sql
ms.subservice configuration
ms.topic how-to
helpviewer_keywords
automatic SQL Server startup
SQL Server, automatic startup
starting SQL Server, automatically

SQL Server Configuration Manager: Set an instance to start automatically

[!INCLUDE SQL Server]

This article describes how to set an instance of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] to start automatically in [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] by using SQL Server Configuration Manager. During setup, [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] is normally configured to start automatically. If this was not done, you can change that setting at any time.

Use SQL Server Configuration Manager

Set an instance of SQL Server to start automatically

  1. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to [!INCLUDE ssCurrentUI], point to Configuration Tools, and then select SQL Server Configuration Manager.

    Because SQL Server Configuration Manager is a snap-in for the [!INCLUDE msconame-md] Management Console program and not a stand-alone program, SQL Server Configuration Manager doesn't appear as an application in newer versions of Windows.

    Operating system Details
    Windows 10 and Windows 11 To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, on the Start Page, type SQLServerManager16.msc (for [!INCLUDE sssql22-md]). For other versions of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion], replace 16 with the appropriate number. Selecting SQLServerManager16.msc opens the Configuration Manager. To pin the Configuration Manager to the Start Page or Task Bar, right-click SQLServerManager16.msc, and then select Open file location. In the Windows File Explorer, right-click SQLServerManager16.msc, and then select Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
    Windows 8 To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the Search charm, under Apps, type SQLServerManager<version>.msc, such as SQLServerManager16.msc, and then press Enter.

  2. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, expand Services, and then select SQL Server.

  3. In the details pane, right-click the name of the instance you want to start automatically, and then select Properties.

  4. In the SQL Server <instancename> Properties dialog box, set Start Mode to Automatic.

  5. Select OK, and then close [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] Configuration Manager.

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