Question: I just installed SQL Server Express on my PC and for some reason it is not showing in my list of available servers to connect on Visual Studio 2010. I added some pictures to explain exactly my problem. I have no idea how to fix this because it is up and running, but not showing up...

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/bByTR.png)

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/F587u.png)

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/CL6nU.png)

Answer: 
I had the exact same issue as Stan, and for me I had to connect using the IP of the SQL Server Database, followed by the name:

10.0.1.224\DatabaseName

* your ip can be found by using cmd and pinging the device where SQL Server is installe. (in my case the server was hosted on a virtual machine)
if `sqlserver` is installed with new installation try the following:

```
(localdb)\mssqllocaldb

```