I'm trying to configure TCP access to my SQL Server named instance (named SQL2012). I use management studio to connect to the database engine. I type in the server name: "tcp:localhost\SQL2012" and I receive this error message: > (provider: SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified) [This post][1] by the SQL Server team seems to be really useful, in it they suggest testing out the SqlBrowser service using PortQry. When I do, I get this info: Querying target system called: localhost Attempting to resolve name to IP address... Name resolved to 127.0.0.1 querying... UDP port 1434 (ms-sql-m service): LISTENING or FILTERED Sending SQL Server query to UDP port 1434... Server's response: ServerName MSWART7 InstanceName SQL2012 IsClustered No Version 11.0.5058.0 tcp 52329 ♥K K P☺K 5 - 2 1 qK 1 4 rK 8 7 0☺ 1 qK ==== End of SQL Server query response ==== And sure enough, I'm able to connect to the database when I specify the server name "tcp:localhost,52329" I'm not sure what I'm missing. SQL Browser seems to be functioning and ports and firewalls seem to be open or irrelevant (I'm trying to connect to localhost). Where do I look next? [1]: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/sql_protocols/archive/2007/05/13/sql-network-interfaces-error-26-error-locating-server-instance-specified.aspx