Using data connections in Visual Studio to explore SQL Server Express database

Question

I am using Entity Framework in order to create my models, but when I try to access the database from the data connections in Server Explorer, it does not work. I know the models are being created in the SQL Server Express instance running on my local machine, as I navigated to

Computer -> Program Files -> Microsoft SQL Server -> MSSQL10.SQLEXPRESS -> MSSQL -> DATA ->

and the database is in there.

Shouldn't my local instance of SQL Server Express show up in this window?

I read over this article from Microsoft which explains where database is stored.

Answer 1

Under server name type in \\\\\\SQLEXPRESS or .\\SQLEXPRESS (assuming you have installed the instance with default values)

then you should be able to access the database from the dropdown list.

Answer 2

you need to select your machine name from the Server Name dropdown as shown in below picture.

Answer 3

if your server is not showing in the list then simply open SQL Server note down that Server Name and write it Manually.

Here is an Example