---
title: "Tool Windows in SQL Server Management Studio | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "06/13/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: ssms
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "SQL Server Management Studio [SQL Server], tool windows"
  - "tool windows [SQL Server Management Studio]"
ms.assetid: d3be5062-234c-43a8-8d47-cce111dd3c25
author: stevestein
ms.author: sstein
manager: craigg
---
# Tool Windows in SQL Server Management Studio
  [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] provides many powerful tool windows for all phases of development and administration. Some tools can be used on any [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] component, and others are for certain components only. The following table identifies the tools that can be used for all components of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)].  
  
|||  
|-|-|  
|**Tool**|**Purpose**|  
|[Object Explorer](object/object-explorer.md)|Browse servers, create and locate objects, manage data sources, and view logs. This tool is accessed from the **View** menu.|  
|[Solution Explorer](solution/solution-explorer.md)|Store and organize scripts and related connection information in projects called [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Scripts. You can store several [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Scripts as Solutions and use source control to manage scripts as they evolve over time. This tool is accessed from the **View** menu.|  
|[Template Explorer](template/template-explorer.md)|Create queries based on existing templates. You can also create your custom queries or alter the existing templates to fit your scenarios. This tool is accessed from the **View** menu.|  
|[Dynamic Help](sql-server-management-studio-ssms.md)|Show a list of related Help topics as you click on a component or type code.|  
  
 The tools in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] work together. For example, you can:  
  
-   Register a server with Object Explorer.  
  
-   Open a SQL Editor window connected to a specific database from Object Explorer.  
  
## See Also  
 [Use SQL Server Management Studio](../database-engine/use-sql-server-management-studio.md)