If I get a VPS server, which has Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (maybe 2012) and Plesk 11 installed on it, do I just install MS SQL Server and Plesk will automatically recognize that SQL Server is installed and use it, or is there some special Plesk configuration necessary to tie Plesk 11 to the new MS SQL Server?
Also, does MS SQL Server Express play a part in that, if the VPS comes with it? I presume that I should uninstall SQL Server Express first if it comes with the VPS. If so, does that present a problem with confusing Plesk 11?
SQL Server 2008(Express) and 2012(Express) included in Plesk 11 distributive and can be installed with Plesk.
If you have SQL server installed separately from Plesk on single server, you can just add(register) this server in Plesk GUI(In Tools & settings > Database Servers). All what you need just sa's password.
I recommend to register local MSSQL server as "localhost", in this case Plesk will understand that it's "local" DB server, because some features like Backup of databases may don't work in case of remote DB server.
Uninstall of SQL server doesn't confuse Plesk.
May I Ask you a question? Why did you need uninstall express SQL server? Which exact limitation of Express edition not satisfied by your requirements? I just wonder why it can be needed on shared hosting?