If you ever have the requirement to use a specific ID for a SQL Server 2005 install e.g. MSSQL.5, what can you do?
Good old SQL Server 2005 didn’t give you the option to choice an Instance ID, unlike SQL Server 2008 onwards, so you can either:
1. Install multiple instances until you get to MSSQL.5; or
2. Simply add entries in the Instance Names section of the registry prior to performing your SQL install and remove them afterwards.
An example is shown below and the next SQL install will start at MSSQL.5
A sample registry reg file to perform the task would be
As always, use caution when manually updating the registry.
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