Change a Sql-Server (express) from a named instance to localhost?

If you don't specify an instance name when connecting to a server, it will look at port 1433.

By default, the MSSQLSERVER instance (i.e. the default) will be assigned this static port.

By default, any named instances will be assigned dynamic ports which are discovered using the SQL Server Browser service.

You might not be able to rename an instance, but you can change its port number.

For your named instance, you need to set it to the static default SQL Server port, i.e. 1433. Obviously TCP/IP will need to be enabled for the instance:

Once you've done this, should be able to connect to localhost without supplying a name as it will just try and connect to 1433.

This is what worked for me.

1) Go to SQl Server Configuration Manager

2) Open SQL Server Network Configuration

3) Click on my Named Instance

4) Open TCP/IP

5) Click on IP addresses

6) Added port 1433 to all ip's

(Edit)

It may be necessary to run the SQL Server Configuration Manager as an admin if the port is uneditable.