Installing SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition

Installed SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition. Could not connect using SSMS.

Tried the following steps

• Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server
• Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server

After making changes, Still had issues.
Dropped a note to SQL Expert Balmukund (My mentor). He proposed below options

Try
(local)\SQLEXPRESS
OR
.\SQLEXPRESS

Finally Worked !!
Thanks Balmukund....

Happy Reading!!