How to set system admin password for SQL Server Express

Question

I understand this should be searched online. I did but most of the links point to SSMS and UI for doing this. I am relying on Visual Studio 2012 SSDT and self-typed SQL query.

Please help me with below SQL command to set sa password.

 CREATE LOGIN [sa]
 WITH PASSWORD = N'MyPassword', DEFAULT_LANGUAGE = [us_english];
 GO 

 ALTER LOGIN [sa] ENABLE

Nick.Mc · Accepted Answer · 2013-12-21T11:23:13.060

1

It really helps if you post whatever error you are getting.

sa should already exist so you can't create it again. You can change it's password with this if you have sufficient privileges. If you have an error post it.

ALTER LOGIN sa WITH PASSWORD=N'NewPassword'

edited Dec 21 '13 at 11:23

answered Dec 21 '13 at 07:14

Nick.Mc

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Thank you, but using above query I get `SQL:46010 incorrect syntax near PASSWORD` – Abhijeet Dec 21 '13 at 10:41
What version of SQL Server? Use `SELECT @@VERSION` to find out – Nick.Mc Dec 21 '13 at 11:21
ahhhhh. I coped that code directly from the help file and it put in dodgy quote characters.... copy it again now. – Nick.Mc Dec 21 '13 at 11:23
Correct, N is not mandatory. It indicates it's a unicode string. It's certainly worth getting into the habit of using it. – Nick.Mc Dec 23 '13 at 21:01

How to set system admin password for SQL Server Express

1 Answers1