If you are preparing for SQL Server DBA interview, you should also read this article.
In this interview question, I am sharing different options to manage SQL Server services or instances using Command Prompt or Command line.

NET Commands:

• NET START MSSQLSERVER: Starts SQL Server
• NET STOP MSSQLSERVER: Stops SQL Server
• NET PAUSE MSSQLSERVER: Pauses SQL Server
• NET CONTINUE MSSQLSERVER: Resumes SQL Server
• NET START MSSQL$instancename: Starts SQL Server as a service with specific instancename
• NET STOP MSSQL$instancename: Stops SQL Server as a service with specific instancename
• NET PAUSE MSSQL$instancename: Pauses SQL Server as a service with specific instancename
• NET CONTINUE MSSQL$instancename: Resumes SQL Server as a service with specific instancename

To start the default instance of SQL Server from a command prompt:

sqlservr.exe

To start a named instance of SQL Server from a command prompt:

sqlservr.exe -s <instancename>

To start the default instance of SQL Server in single-user mode from a command prompt:

sqlservr.exe -m

To start a named instance of SQL Server in single-user mode from a command prompt:

sqlservr.exe -m -s <instancename>

To start the default instance of SQL Server with minimal configuration:

sqlservr.exe -f

To start a named instance of SQL Server with minimal configuration:

sqlservr.exe -f -s <instancename>

These are the list of important commands that you can prepare, but I would suggest preparing two main options for these kind questions like “how to start SQL Server in single user mode”, “how to start SQL Server with minimal configuration.”