Hide an Instance of SQL Server Database Engine

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This topic describes how to hide an instance of the Database Engine in SQL Server 2012 by using SQL Server Configuration Manager. SQL Server uses the SQL Server Browser service to enumerate instances of the Database Engine installed on the computer. This enables client applications to browse for a server, and helps clients distinguish between multiple instances of the Database Engine on the same computer. You can use the following procedure to prevent the SQL Server Browser service from exposing an instance of the Database Engine to client computers that try to locate the instance by using the Browse button.

Using SQL Server Configuration Manager

To hide an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine

  1. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, expand SQL Server Network Configuration, right-click Protocols for <server instance>, and then select Properties.

  2. On the Flags tab, in the HideInstance box, select Yes, and then click OK to close the dialog box. The change takes effect immediately for new connections.

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See Also

Concepts

Server Network Configuration