After installing Microsoft SQL Server 2012 I tried to start SQL Server Agent (Agent XPs disabled) in SQL Server Management Studio. Didn’t work and I got a message to enable the agent with sp_configure.

1. Create a new query in SQL Server Management Studio.

2. Execute the following:
sp_configure ‘show advanced options’, 1;
GO
RECONFIGURE;
GO sp_configure ‘Agent XPs’, 1;
GO
RECONFIGURE
GO

3. Start the SQL Server Agent by right clicking on SQL Server Agent (Agent XPs disabled) in SQL Server Management Studio and choose start.