Here’s How to Change SQL Server Password for SA & User Login Without Any Fail

  author
Written By Mohit Jha
Anuraag Singh
Approved By Anuraag Singh  
Published On September 22nd, 2022
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

Forget the complex password of SQL Server database Login?

Tried to change SQL Server Password Via. command line or cmd, but failed?

Do not know how to access the database without a password ?

Take a deep breath first!

If you also have queries like this –

  • How to change SQL Server password Using CMD ?
  • How to change SQL Server password for SA & User ?
  • How to set SQL Server password when lost ?
  • How to update complex forgotten password in SQL Server 2014 ?

Here’s good news for you – It is very easy to change the SQL Server Password without losing any single bit of database information. You can reset your password for security reasons or replace it with a new one if you forget it. Check our guide on how to change SQL Server Password for SA & User login.

In this post, we used the most easiest way to crack password of SA & User login without taking any external help. In case if your SQL admin left the organization and changes all the login password and now company does not know how to access it then, this write-up helps you a lot. So, without wasting any second, let’s get started and learn how to set password!!

Related : How to Fix Microsoft SQL Server Error 18456?

Full Guide On How to Change SQL Server Password Without SQL Server Management Studio

If you are facing trouble while changing SQL Server password, then take the help of SysTools SQL Password Changer. It is a software solution that can change your lost password within seconds without any hassle and set a new one.

All it needs the ‘master.mdf’ file because it refers to primary configuration database in Microsoft SQL Server. It has all the details of databases that exist on the server. It includes information about physical database files along with locations.

Furthermore, Master.mdf file comprises the login account information and SQL Server’s configuration settings. So, the software directly reset the password from Master database and allow to change it with a new one. Let’s check out how the tool works:-

Full Guide on How to Change SA Password in SQL Server 2017/16/14/12

Step 1: After successful installation of utility, Open it.

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Step 2: On the welcome screen, the user will see a field ‘Select (master.mdf) file’. Here you need to add the master.mdf file in order to change the SQL Server SA & User password.

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Step 3: Click on Browse to locate master.mdf file. In Open window, select the file and click on Open as shown in the screenshot.

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Note: Make Sure all the SQL Services are stopped while selecting the master.mdf file.

Step 4: The tool will scan the file completely and shows all the User Name Login, including SA account too.

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Step 5: User can view two types of status under the Password column – Unknown and Not Set. The Unknown signifies that password is applied on the SQL Server database. On the other hand, the Not Set means there is no password set to the particular login and you can connect the database with that account without entering any password.

Step 6: Select the Login Name by checking its corresponding checkbox. Afterward, click on Reset Password button.

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Step 7: A warning messages appear that say – Backup your master.mdf before proceeding. Then click on OK.

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Step 8: Now, a Password Settings window pops-up. It will allow you to change the SQL Server password. For this, you need to enter a new password for the User login and confirm it by entering it again under the Confirm Password box. And hit OK button to change the SQL Server SA Password.

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Step 9: At last, an acknowledgment message appears for successful execution of process.

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You can also view the video of the working of software and learn how to update MS SQL Server Password.

Bringing It All Together

If for any reason – there is a need to set the new password of SA & User Login. Without any doubt, you can try SysTools SQL Password Changer tool. It is the best answer for how to change SQL Server Password without management studio. So, try the workarounds and continue your work in database.

Frequently Asked Questions –

Q – How to change database user password of SQL Server Via. Management Studio ?

A – If you have admin access, then go to the Login Properties using Object explorer to change User password.

Q – How to update SQL password when forgot?

A – Try SysTools SQL Password Recovery software and replace the lost password with the new one.

Q – How to change SA password in SQL Server 2008 using query ?

A – Try this sql command in SSMS-
ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE=[master]
USE [master]
GO
ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH PASSWORD=N’new_password’ MUST_CHANGE
GO

  author

By Mohit Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft Certified Expert who wears multiple hats as a writer, researcher, and editor. He's really into cyber security, cloud computing, and digital forensics. These topics get him excited and push him to go beyond just his job. His big goal is to create super well-researched and carefully written articles that help readers learn important technicalities.