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sqlsql-serverwindows-7sql-server-2012ssms

Stop SQL Server from running until needed

I have SQL Server 2012 installed on my PC, and usually don't need it. It's only for debugging purposes.

I've seen it takes up quite some RAM so I'd like to prevent it from starting until I need it, start it, and then stop it when not needed again.

How do I do that? (I have SSMS installed as well so I can use that if that's the way to do it.)

Solution

  • To start, stop, pause, resume, or restart the an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine:

    1. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2012 , point to Configuration Tools, and then click SQL Server Configuration Manager. If the User Account Control dialog box appears, click Yes.
    2. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the left pane, click SQL Server Services.
    3. In the results pane, right-click SQL Server (MSSQLServer) or a named instance, and then click Start, Stop, Pause, Resume, or Restart.
    4. Click OK to close SQL Server Configuration Manager.

    From: Microsoft - Start,Stop,etc. SQL Server

    You can also do this from within SSMS:

    In Object Explorer, connect to the instance of the Database Engine, right-click the instance of the Database Engine you want to start, and then click Start, Stop, Pause, Resume, or Restart.

    Edit: As Lamak mentioned, within the SQL Server Configuration Manager you can change all the services StartMode to "Manual" so they do not start on boot.