Could not automatically discover any SQL Server instances.

In Server Explorer, a failure occurred while expanding the server folder. Visual Database Tools was unable to discover any SQL Server instances. If you know there are SQL Server instances on this machine, register them and then try again. Another possible cause for this error is if you do not have read access security permissions.

To correct this error

  1. Right-click the SQL Servers folder and choose Register SQL Server Instance on the shortcut menu.

    -or-

  2. Ask your database administrator for access permissions.