---
title: "Set the Startup Options | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "06/13/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: ssms
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.assetid: 47dc2b5b-7803-4202-ad53-a431a821ad69
author: stevestein
ms.author: sstein
manager: craigg
---
# Set the Startup Options
  [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] can be configured to open the design surface to the configuration you prefer when [!INCLUDE[ssManStudio](../../includes/ssmanstudio-md.md)] is started. Configuring [!INCLUDE[ssManStudio](../../includes/ssmanstudio-md.md)] to open in your preferred configuration can save you time.  
  
## Configuring Startup Options  
  
#### To configure startup options  
  
1.  On the **Tools** menu, click **Options**.  
  
2.  Expand **Environment**, and click **Startup**. In the **At startup** list, review your options:  
  
    -   **Open Object Explorer**. This is the default option.  
  
    -   **Open new query window**.  
  
    -   **Open Object Explorer and new query**.  
  
    -   **Open Object Explorer and Activity Monitor**.  
  
    -   **Open empty environment**.  
  
3.  Click the option you prefer, and then click **OK**.  
  
     Note the other options you may be interested in, such as **Hide system objects in Object Explorer**.  
  
## Next Task in Lesson  
 [Restore the Default SQL Server Management Studio Configuration](lesson-1-8-restore-the-default-sql-server-management-studio-configuration.md)