Color Coding Status Bar in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

This is one of those things you learn about when you make a change on the wrong server, well at least that is how I learned about it and why I share it when someone else makes the same mistake.

You can change the color of the status bar in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio for every connection you make to help identify the server you are on.

The first step is to launch the Connect To Server option.

Then click on the "Options >>" button.

Then check the "Use custom color" check box then the "Select" button to choose a color.

I usually use Green for Development, Blue for Test and Red for Production.

Hope this helps someone before they make a mistake on the wrong server, but sometimes we have to learn the hard way.