Check Connection Settings: share SQL Server access with a second computer

To connect a second computer, open SQL Server Tools > Check Connection Settings on the host, click Create Login, then copy the connection block. On the second computer, open the same tool, paste the block, and click Use This Connection.

After pasting a connection block, click Check to see if the workstation can reach the host. The diagnostic results show exactly what's working and what needs to be fixed, with plain-language suggestions for each issue.

On the host computer, click Fix Problems to automatically configure SQL Server for network access. The tool will enable mixed authentication, turn on TCP/IP, start SQL Browser, and add necessary firewall rules.

Connection blocks work when pasted from email or chat messages, even if formatting changes slightly. If any part of the block is damaged or modified, you'll get a clear error message asking you to copy it again from the host.

The connection password is saved on the host computer so you can share it with additional workstations later without changing the password for computers already connected. If you need to reset the password, use Create New Password—every workstation will need the new connection block.

The tool automatically picks the best way to connect to the host based on your network setup, and warns you if the connection might stop working after certain changes (like SQL Server restarts or IP address changes).

You can save the connection block to a file and load it on the workstation if copy-paste isn't convenient for your situation.