Online Documentation for SQL Management Studio for SQL Server

Using DB Explorer

Database Explorer (or DB Explorer) is the basic window of SQL Studio for navigation within registered hosts and databases. The tree-like structure of DB Explorer allows you to manage the hosts and databases and perform everyday operations quickly and easily.

To activate/deactivate DB Explorer, you can use the corresponding View | Navigation bar | Explorer item of the main menu.

By default, DB Explorer is located below the Navigation bar in the lower-left area of SQL Studio window. DB Explorer displays all registered hosts and databases; with its help you can add and remove items to/from the Explorer tree, browse registration information of hosts and databases and start SQL Server services for selected databases. Single registered database repository allows you to use database registration information in all utilities integrated in SQL Management Studio for SQL Server.

To add a host/database to the DB Explorer tree, select the Database | Register Database / Database | Register Host items of the main menu or use the corresponding items of the context menu. If more convenient, you can use the Register Database / Register Host toolbar buttons.

To remove a host/database from the DB Explorer tree, select the Database | Unregister Database / Database | Unregister Host items of the main menu or use the corresponding items of the context menu. If more convenient, you can use the Unregister Database / Unregister Host toolbar buttons.

To view database registration info, select the Database | Database Registration Info item of the main menu or use the corresponding item of the context menu. If more convenient, you can use the Database Registration Info toolbar button.