Changing SQL Server named instance to default instance

Question

This question is in regard to instances. That I asked earlier. Is it possible to change default instance in SQL Server without uninstalling and re-installing? How do we do that if possible? If not possible why is that? Thank you for help :).

Answer 1

All instanses are named but only one runs as default. Remove the port from the default instance and set the port of the named instance you want as default to 1433 in SQL Server Config Manager under SQL Server Network Config

Answer 2

No.

If you want to change the name of your instance, or make it the default instance, you have to reinstall. No way around that.

Answer 3

This might solve your problem: https://kohera.be/blog/sql-server/make-named-instance-look-like-default-instance/ (Full credit to Stefan, but I'll paraphrase below in case his blog disappears)

The idea is to make your named instance appear as the Default instance.

1. Open SQL Server Configuration Manager.
2. Navigate to: SQL Server Network Configuration -> "Protocols for XYZ" treenode.
3. Right-click on the TCP/IP item in the right pane.
4. Choose Properties menu item.
5. On Protocol tab, ensure Enabled is set to Yes.
6. On IP Addresses tab, scroll to bottom, and enter 1433 in IPAll->TCP Dynamic Ports field.
7. Then restart your named instance.
8. You should now be able to connect to your named instance via:
   • (local)
   • localhost
   • . ( <-- that's a dot )
   • 127.0.0.1
   • named instance name (e.g. mymachine\myinstance)