[sql-server-2008] Default instance name of SQL Server Express

I don't have access to a SQL Server Express installation at the moment, but I know that the installer usually installs SQL Server Express with an instance name. What is the default instance name for SQL Server Express installations? I.e., how do you access such an installation by default? Is it localhost\SQLEXPRESS$ ? Is the same name used for both 2005 and 2008 servers?

If you navigate to where you have installed SQLExpress, e.g.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn

You can run SQLLocalDB.exe and get a list of the all instances installed on your machine.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn>SqlLocalDB.exe info
MSSQLLocalDB
ProjectsV12
v11.0

Then you can get further information on the instance.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\110\Tools\Binn>SqlLocalDB.exe info MSSQLLocalDB Name: MSSQLLocalDB
Version: 13.0.1601.5
Shared name:
Owner: Domain\User
Auto-create: Yes
State: Stopped
Last start time: 22/09/2016 10:19:33
Instance pipe name:

The default instance name after installing is,

Server name:

.\SQLExpress

Authentication:

Windows Authentication

Note: The period in the server Name field means your local machine. For remote machines, use the machine name instead of the period.

This video also helps you to Find your sql server name (instance) for Management Studio .

You're right, it's localhost\SQLEXPRESS (just no $) and yes, it's the same for both 2005 and 2008 express versions.

in my case the right server name was the name of my computer. for example John-PC, or somth

Should be .\SQLExpress or localhost\SQLExpress no $ sign at the end

See also here http://www.connectionstrings.com/sql-server-2008