How to remove an Instance on a SQL Server

Sometimes it's needed to remove an Instance on a SQL Server, because of database migration or SQL Server cleanup. When doing this in a production environment, this is a exciting action. This because of other production databases, which may be running in a different Instance. I've done this a few months ago, and it all went fine.

Just read the guides on Microsoft TechNet first before doing this:

-To uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2008 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143412(v=sql.100).aspx

-To uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2008 R2 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143412(v=sql.105).aspx

-To uninstall an instance of SQL Server 2012 http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms143412(v=sql.110).aspx

Here are the steps which are needed to remove the Instance. Just make sure which one must be removed and there are no databases on it.

-Open Control Panel, Programs and Features
-Select "Micosoft SQL Server {version}"
-Choose "Uninstall/Change"
-Choose "Remove"
-Setup Support Rules > Next
-Remove SQL Server {version}
-Select Instance > Choose "SQL Instance"
-Select Features > Choose "Specific features" (not shared features)
-Removal Rules > Next
-Ready to Remove > Next
-Removal Progress
-Complete

After following this steps the selected Instance is removed. There's no reboot needed on the SQL Server, and other databases will still have connection. Just make sure reading the guides, and you are fine!