How to remove server from server explorer list in Visual Studio

Question

How to remove server from server explorer list in Visual Studio

gagrim808 91

I am sorry if the tag is wrong. I could not find a visual studio tag.

The issue is that I have by mistake connected to my own pc as a 'Windows Server' and now it is showing up in the Server Explorer of Visual Studio 2022. I am able to view 'Event Logs', 'Services' and whatnot. Actually, I wanted to connect to my SQL server which is also on the pc itself.

Now, when I try deleting it from the list, it temporarily works but as soon as I reload the server explorer or restart visual studio, it shows up again.

I have already tried deleting 'ServerExplorer' folder in roaming app data. There were some other suggestions like deleting 'ServerExplorersettings.settings' and 'DataConnection.xml', but I am unable to find any of these files in the respective directories.
Please help and let me know where the connected servers' list is saved by visual studio so that I may delete it manually.

Erland Sommarskog 124.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-25T21:42:06.2066667+00:00

I've changed the tag to the Visual Studio that may be appropriate.
Lara 20 Reputation points

2025-07-29T11:50:35.9433333+00:00

Be careful while editing the registry — always back it up first. I had a similar issue and this worked for me.

2 answers

Your answer

Erland Sommarskog 124.2K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-07-25T21:42:06.2066667+00:00

I've changed the tag to the Visual Studio that may be appropriate.
Lara 20 Reputation points

2025-07-29T11:50:35.9433333+00:00

Be careful while editing the registry — always back it up first. I had a similar issue and this worked for me.

Answer 1

Adiba Khan 245 Microsoft External Staff

You can follow the following steps:

1. Delete from Registered Servers (Manually)

Check the local user configuration:

· Path:

%APPDATA%\Microsoft\VisualStudio17.0_xxxxx

Replace 17.0_xxxxxwith your actual Visual Studio version folder.

· Look for files like:

ServerExploreSettings.settings

DataConnections.xml

DataSources.xml

If you can’t find these, ensure hidden items are visible and you’re looking under the right user profile.

2. Use SQL Server Object Explorer (SSOE) instead

If you are working with databases only, consider using SQL Server Object Explorer which offers more reliable connection management for SQL-based sources.

3. Reset Visual Studio Settings

If nothing works:

Devenv /resetsettings

This will reset all VS settings to default. Only do this if you’re okay losing other custom configurations.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any other query.

Adiba Khan 245 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-08-01T09:39:23.0066667+00:00

"Hope you're doing well. We're following up on the ticket. Please let us know whether the issue persists or has been resolved. If the issue has been resolved, kindly mark the response as answered."
gagrim808 91 Reputation points

2025-08-02T04:56:26.6566667+00:00

I did try all of that, but still no progress. Even on resetting the settings in VS, my PC was showing as a server. Sorry for the late response.
Adiba Khan 245 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-08-04T11:52:36.7966667+00:00

Since the server keeps reappearing even after resetting Visual studio setting and clearing user config files, it seems to be auto-detected via WMI(Windows Management Instrumentation)- especially since it’s showing event logs, services etc.

This means the connection isn’t stored in the usual ServerExplorerSettings files but is instead part of Visual Studio’s dynamic discovery of local admin tools.

You can try this workaround:

1.      Disable or Restrict WMI access for visual studio:

·         Open Component Services->DCOM Config

·         Locate any DCOM entry related to Microsoft.ManagementConsole or WMI

·         Right-click-> properties->Security

·         Remove VS user access(careful here-afftects WMI tools)

2.      Try launching visual studio in safe mode(this disables extensions too):

Devenv/SafeMode

If it doesn’t show up there, the issue may be tied to a background service or extension.

3.      Alternative suggestion is to use SQL server object explorer exclusively if your intention is only SQL access.
Adiba Khan 245 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-08-08T10:10:28.4933333+00:00

Hope you are doing well; this is a follow up call. please let me know if the issue is resolved or not. If issue is resolved, please mark the thread as answered
Adiba Khan 245 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff

2025-08-12T10:12:49.3233333+00:00

Hope you are doing well; this is a follow up call. please let me know if the issue is resolved or not. If issue is resolved, please mark the thread as answered

Answer 2

This error usually occurs due to permission issues, corrupted cache, or network restrictions. Here are steps you can try to resolve it:

Run the Installer as Administrator

Right-click on the Visual Studio Installer → Run as Administrator This ensures the installer has proper permissions to access system and network resources.

Clear the Visual Studio Installer Cache

Corrupted cache files often cause download failures.

Press Windows + R, type:

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Packages

Delete all contents in this folder.

Then clear the installer cache:

%ProgramData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Installer

Delete all contents in this folder as well.

Check Proxy, VPN, and Firewall Settings

Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy.

Ensure your firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking the installer.

Add exceptions for:

*.visualstudio.com
*.microsoft.com

Use the Offline Layout Installer (If Issue Persists)

If downloads still fail, use the offline installer to bypass network issues:

vs_enterprise.exe --layout C:\VS2022Offline --lang en-US

(Replace vs_enterprise.exe with the installer for your edition, e.g., Community or Professional.)

Ensure Required Services Are Running

Open services.msc and confirm the following services are running:

Windows Update

Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

Reinstall the Visual Studio Installer

If none of the above works, uninstall and reinstall the Visual Studio Installer from the official Visual Studio website.

Would you like me to:

Make this shorter and concise for a quick answer, or

**Keep it detailed like this for a full professional response?**Here’s a professional answer you could post to the question “How can I fix the 'Unable to download installation files' error in Visual Studio Installer?”: Answer:
This error usually occurs due to permission issues, corrupted cache, or network restrictions. Here are steps you can try to resolve it:
1. Run the Installer as Administrator
- Right-click on the Visual Studio Installer → Run as Administrator
  This ensures the installer has proper permissions to access system and network resources.
1. Clear the Visual Studio Installer Cache
Corrupted cache files often cause download failures.
- Press Windows + R, type:
```
    %ProgramData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Packages
```
  Delete all contents in this folder.
- Then clear the installer cache:
```
    %ProgramData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\Installer
```
  Delete all contents in this folder as well.
1. Check Proxy, VPN, and Firewall Settings
- Temporarily disable any VPN or proxy.
- Ensure your firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking the installer.
- Add exceptions for:
```
    *.visualstudio.com
```

*.microsoft.com ```

Use the Offline Layout Installer (If Issue Persists)

If downloads still fail, use the offline installer to bypass network issues:

  vs_enterprise.exe --layout C:\VS2022Offline --lang en-US

(Replace vs_enterprise.exe with the installer for your edition, e.g., Community or Professional.)

Ensure Required Services Are Running

Open services.msc and confirm the following services are running:

Windows Update
Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)

Reinstall the Visual Studio Installer

If none of the above works, uninstall and reinstall the Visual Studio Installer from the official Visual Studio website.

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How to remove server from server explorer list in Visual Studio

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