<p>How can I get the list of available databases on a SQL Server instance? I'm planning to make a list of them in a combo box in VB.NET.</p>

Execute:
```
SELECT name FROM master.sys.databases
```
This the preferred approach now, rather than
```
dbo.sysdatabases
```
, which has been deprecated for some time.
Execute this query:
```
```
SELECT name FROM master.dbo.sysdatabases
```
```
or if you prefer
```
```
EXEC sp_databases
```
```