Using the SSMS Web Browser as a File Manager

• Jeff Brooks

  SSC Veteran

  Points: 257

  More actions

  November 23, 2013 at 1:52 pm

  #285523

  A small frustration with SQL Server Management Studio is its lack of a multilevel folder structure for query files. As a workaround, I've been keeping my "toolbox" queries in the Template Explorer. Yesterday, I figured out a more flexible workaround: using the SSMS browser as a file manager.

  The Workaround

  SSMS includes a version of Internet Explorer to allow the user to view MSDN Library help topics and browse URLs. By pointing the browser to a local folder, you can access any file you wish from within SSMS. The browser window doesn't display the folder tree, but you can use the Back and Forward buttons to help navigate. I've docked my browser window and set it to auto-hide. You can configure the window however you wish.

  

  Set Up Steps

  Set the SSMS web browser's home page to a local folder

  If SSMS is open, close it.

  -- (If you don't, SSMS will reset the home page when it closes.)

  Edit the registry to set the browser's home page to a folder on your local drive.

  -- Registry Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Shell\WebBrowser]

  -- Example Value: C:\Code\SSMS\Queries

  Make the SSMS web browser window dockable and auto-hide it

  Open SSMS.

  In the menu bar, click: View/Other Windows/Web Browser.

  -- (This opens the browser in a tabbed window and displays the Help toolbar.)

  Right click the tab and click: Dockable.

  -- (This floats the window and lets you dock it.)

  Drag the browser window to the docking icon of your choice.

  Click the push pin icon to auto-hide the window.

  Keep the Help toolbar hidden

  In SSMS, open the browser window (and pin it, if necessary) to show the Help toolbar.

  Customize the toolbars, and drag the Back, Forward and Web Browser buttons from the Help toolbar to another toolbar.

  -- (The Back and Forward buttons don't appear to be listed in the Commands tab of the Customize dialog box.)

  In the Customize dialog box, click Toolbars, uncheck "Help", and click close.

  Save your configuration

  In SSMS, click Save All.

  Limitations

  Do not use the web browser to rename files that are included in an SSMS project. The web browser does not update project metadata, and SSMS will not recognize files renamed outside of Solution Explorer.

  That's it. It's a small convenience, but I hope it makes someone else's day a little brighter, too. 🙂

  (Thanks to John G for posting the registry key in a reply on the sqlauthority blog.)