VAMT installation error

Trying to install Volume Activation Management Tool on a 2012 R2 Virtual server.  I installed the VAMT from the Windows 10 ADK.   This VM did not have SQL installed.  When I opened VAMT and it prompts to install Microsoft SQL server express and I chose to do that.  It installed SQL Express 2017.  When VAMT tries to connect to the VAMT database, it opens the database connection settitng dialog.  I have tried to enter the current VM name as the server and VAMT as the database name and if fails with this error:
"A network-related or instance-specific error occurred while establishing a connection to SQL Server.  The server was not found or was not accessible.  Verify that the instance name is correct and that SQL Server is configures to allow remote connections.  (Provider: Named Pipes Provider, error: 40. Could not open a connection to SQL Server).
I have no idea on what to do with SQL, I have never installed on a Virtual server so maybe that is the problem.  In the past on other servers, after choosing to install SQL, I have been able to create and connect to just by using the servername and 'VAMT' in the database connection.
If you can point me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.