title: Cannot connect to Local SQL Server 2014 from Visual studio 2017
body: <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/U2iWZ.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/U2iWZ.png" alt="Error number 1"></a></p>
  
  <p>I am getting the above error when trying to add a local Db file to a project in VS2017. The same thing happens if I try to Add > Add new item> SQL server database   to the App_data folder.</p>
  
  <p><strong>Install details:</strong></p>
  
  <pre><code>SQL express 2014
  C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\
  Named: instance: SQLExpress
  instance ID: SQLEXPRESS
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>This is what I am doing:</p>
  
  <p>Tools> Connect to Database> SQL Server> If I use (LocalDB)\MSSQLLocalDB as "server name:" I get error number 1</p>
  
  <p>If I change the server name and choose the PC name from the drop down I get Error number 2. </p>
  
  <p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/XOb9t.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/XOb9t.png" alt="Error number 2"></a></p>
  
  <p>I have removed all instances of SQL server and reinstalled, done a repair install on VS2017 still no luck. </p>
  
  <p>I can connect to the server in SQL server object explorer: using PCname\SQLEXPRESS and I can add databases etc, but unable to link to databased under data connections to use with my projects. </p>