noeld (3/16/2005)
The shortest path is Uninstall/Reinstall (Easier than any other route)
For confirmation
Since this appears quite high in the google search for 'rename sql instance'..and is just not right IMHO, I thought I better add a comment.
sp_dropserver "oldservername"
sp_addserver "newservername" , local
done.
I cant see how uninstalling and reinstalling is easier for you than 2 queries and a few minor clicks here and there....