How to Use SQL Server Configuration Manager to Manage SQL Server Services, Configure Network Protocols, and Network Connectivity Configuration
“SQL Server Configuration Manager” is a tool that can be used to manage all the SQL Server Services; it can also be used to configure network protocols that can be used by an SQL Server Instance. Moreover, using this tool you can even manage the client network configurations.
SQL Server Configuration Manager Tool was initial introduced in SQL Server 2005. This tool can be opened by typing SQLSERVERMANAGER.msc in the run command on a server where SQL Server 2005 is installed. To open SQL Server 2008 Configuration Manager you need to type SQLSERVERMANAGER10.msc in the run command.
This article will address a few of the common questions which come to your mind about SQL Server Configuration Manager.
- How to find Configuration Manager in SQL Server?
- How to manage the SQL Server services?
- How to use SQL Server Configuration Manager?
- What is SQL Server Configuration Manager (MMC)?
- Where can I find SQL Server Configuration Manager?
- Where is SQL Server Configuration Manager?
When to Use SQL Server Configuration Manager?
- Manage the services associated with SQL Server
- Configure the network protocols used by SQL Server
- Manage the network connectivity configuration from SQL Server client computers
Is SQL Server Configuration Manager Missing?
Simple Answer is No! SQL Server Configuration Manager is available on your server. Check the below mentioned path to open SQL Server Configuration Manager relevant to your SQL Server Version.
The paths to the last four versions when Windows in installed on the C drive.
SQL Server 2017 | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager14.msc |
SQL Server 2016 | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager13.msc |
SQL Server 2014 (12.x) | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager12.msc |
SQL Server 2012 (11.x) | C:\Windows\SysWOW64\SQLServerManager11.msc |

This article is divided into four parts for easier understanding of the different uses of SQL Server Configuration Manager.
- Why one should Use SQL Server Configuration Manager to Change SQL Server Service Account or to Change Password?
- How to Enable/Disable SQL Server Network Protocol
- How to Enable/Disable SQL Server Native Client Protocols
- How to Force Protocol Encryption in SQL Server
Managing SQL Server Services
Using SQL Server Configuration Manager you can Start, Stop, Pause or Resume SQL Server Services such as SQL Server Integration Services, SQL Server Full Text Search Service, SQL Server Analysis Services, SQL Server Reporting Services, SQL Server Database Engine Services, SQL Server Agent Service, SQL Server Browser Services etc.
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