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 just found out how to figure out the name of local database.

1. Open View -> SQL Server Object Explorer.
2. In explorer select SQL Server and you will see you local server.
3. Select it and press F2 to select it's name.
4. Now you can copy or change the name of your local database.
5. Enter this name in add connection form.

Worked just fine for me. Name of my database happened to be "`(localdb)\MSSQLLocalDB`".

Neither of other solutions worked for me. And I think this one should help in 
most cases.
I faced the same problem, My Visual studio doesn't show any of the SQL server in the network including the local SQL server. I tried all the options mentioned above. Finally I tried by disabling Windows Firewall and Defender option in Windows 10. Then I can See all the SQL server including the Local SQL server. This worked for me.