Clear List of Recent SQL Server Connections From SQL Server Management Studio

Keep your SSMS connection dialog clean and free of outdated server entries.

Over time, SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) builds up a long list of servers you've connected to. If you've changed jobs, retired old servers, or just want a cleaner dropdown, here's how to clear that recent connections list safely.

Method 1: Remove Individual Entries

Open the Connect to Server dialog, click the dropdown arrow next to the server name field, hover over the entry you want to remove, and press Delete on your keyboard. This removes a single entry without touching the rest of your history.

Method 2: Clear Everything via the Registry

To wipe the entire history at once, SSMS stores its recent connections in the Windows Registry.

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter
2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\<version>\SSMS
3. Delete the keys named MRU under the relevant sub-folders

Method 3: Delete the Settings File

SSMS also caches connection info in a local .bin file, typically found at %AppData%\Microsoft\SQL Server Management Studio\<version>\SqlStudio.bin. Closing SSMS and deleting this file resets the recent connections list entirely.

When Should You Clear This List?

• Before handing over a laptop or shared workstation
• After decommissioning old development or test servers
• When troubleshooting stale cached credentials

A tidy connections list isn't just cosmetic — it also reduces the risk of accidentally connecting to (or exposing) a server you no longer use.