windows 8 - What is the connection string for a SQL Server 2012 default instance? -

i have installed windows 8 , vs 2012, want connect sql server 2012 default instance, can't figure out connection string it.

i have tried:

.\sqlexpress .\sqlexpress,1433 

and same connections pcname instead of .

first using ssms ? or trying connect using vs 2012 ? second connecting default instance of express edition or non-express edition ? (if using express edition please modify question header , question reflect that) express edition have default name sqlexpress , non-express edition has default name mssqlserver

if need know instance of sql server trying connect, can found looking @ sql server configuration manager (sscm). make sure sql server service running.

if instance name correct, @ sql native client configuration -> client protocol in sscm , check if tcp/ip enabled or not.

if enabled check if firewall blocking connection or not.

as side note, if using default port don't have explicitly define port when trying make connection.