Removing a Server name from MS SQL Server Management Studio 2008 'Connect to Server' Drop-down list

Question

Removing a Server name from MS SQL Server Management Studio 2008 'Connect to Server' Drop-down list

CherylNH

SSC-Addicted

Points: 413
More actions
June 15, 2010 at 7:58 am

#223891

Good morning.
In MS SQL Server Management Studio (2008), is there a way to remove unused entries from the drop-down list of server names in the 'Connect to Server' dialog box? if there are entry errors made while trying to add a server name or if a server/instance name is changed, is there a way to delete these extraneous entries? I realize they are not harmful, but would like to eliminate this 'clutter'.
Thanks!
Cheryl

Viewing 14 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic. Login to reply

Jorge Segarra SSCrazy Points: 2571 More actions · Answer 1

Check out this article that tells you how to clear it http://stevenharman.net/blog/archive/2006/10/25/SQL_Server_2005_Management_Studio__Clear_Recent_Servers_List.aspx

=============================================================
/* Backups are worthless, Restores are priceless */

Get your learn on at SQL University!
Follow me on Twitter | Connect on LinkedIn
My blog: http://sqlchicken.com
My book: Pro Server 2008 Policy-Based Management

CherylNH SSC-Addicted Points: 413 More actions · Answer 2

Thanks for the reply, Jorge.

This is what I found at that link:

How Do I Clean Up the List?

Unfortunately the GUI doesn't provide a mechanism to clean nor clear the list, so you'll have to do a little browsing through your file system.

All you have to do is delete

C:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Shell\mru.dat.

Just remember, once you delete that file all of your previous connections will be lost. So make sure that you have any necessary IP addresses, usernames, and passwords that you'll need to reconnect to your favorite/most used SQL Servers.

It would be nice if they'd allow something besides all or none ;-), but that's a help, and I appreciate your prompt reply.

Jorge Segarra SSCrazy Points: 2571 More actions · Answer 3

lol yeah SSMS could use a few tweaks here and there. You may want to suggest that particular feature be put in by going to http://connect.microsoft.com They appreciate any and all feedback.

=============================================================
/* Backups are worthless, Restores are priceless */

Get your learn on at SQL University!
Follow me on Twitter | Connect on LinkedIn
My blog: http://sqlchicken.com
My book: Pro Server 2008 Policy-Based Management

a.schnaller SSC Journeyman Points: 75 More actions · Answer 4

Hi guys,

Unfortunately i am not able to do the same on ssms 2008 - because there's no file like this ?

anybody has a hint for me ?

... really annoying that it doesn't work with the "delete" button...

greets from TiROL,Austria

Alex

/*******************************************************/

Now i've got it there

For SQL 2005, delete the file:

C:\Documents and Settings\<USER>\Application Data\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Shell\mru.dat

For SQL 2008, the file location, format and name changed:

C:\Documents and Settings\<USER>\Application Data\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Shell\SqlStudio.bin

How to clear the list:

Shut down all instances of SSMS

Delete/Rename the file

Open SSMS

tmummert Mr or Mrs. 500 Points: 527 More actions · Answer 5

In Windows 7, it's in the following:

SQL 2005:

C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Shell\mru.dat

SQL 2008:

C:\Users\<USER>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Shell\SqlStudio.bin

Happy organizing,

Trish

gorthog Ten Centuries Points: 1084 More actions · Answer 6

The SqlStudio.bin file associated with SSMS 2008 appears to contain user preferences. I recommend renaming this file instead of deleting it.

CherylNH SSC-Addicted Points: 413 More actions · Answer 7

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm pretty much a pack rat and always keep copies!

Cheryl

ck_phua SSC Journeyman Points: 83 More actions · Answer 8

ck_phua

SSC Journeyman

Points: 83

July 29, 2012 at 10:14 pm

#1518988

Thanks

-Adam SSC Enthusiast Points: 199 More actions · Answer 9

A little late on the draw, but. . .

This article succinctly describes how to quickly and easily remove as many or few entries as you like:

https://nathondalton.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/clear-server-names-from-list-in-sql-server-management-studio/[/url]

CherylNH SSC-Addicted Points: 413 More actions · Answer 10

Thanks Adam. I don't seem to be able to follow the link, though. Would you check it please?

Cheryl

-Adam SSC Enthusiast Points: 199 More actions · Answer 11

Hi Cheryl,

It worked for me. However, it was a little longer than it needed to be and I had to paste it into my browser's address bar. I've edited the post by shortening it up slightly and making it a hyperlink. Please let me know if it doesn't work.

Thanks!

-Adam

CherylNH SSC-Addicted Points: 413 More actions · Answer 12

Thanks Adam! I appreciate your help on this. Such a simple solution!

Cheryl

-Adam SSC Enthusiast Points: 199 More actions · Answer 13

Happy to help. 🙂

A note for future readers: Since my original posting, I discovered the procedure in the link I posted only works for SSMS 2012 and later. For earlier versions, there is a free, handy tool on CodePlex called SSMSMRU[/url] that worked very nicely for me.