How to Recover Lost SQL SA Password of SQL Server 2022/19/17/16/14/12

Read this article if you, unfortunately, forgot / lost SQL Server login account password (SA & User), or need to reset it. There are several scenarios where users Forgot MS SQL Server password or get locked out of SQL Server database. Moreover, they want to know how to connect to SQL Server when System Administrators are locked out. Let’s understand how to recover lost SQL SA password eaisly.

No worries, in this article we will describe the popular and efficient methods for you to retrieve SQL Server password if users forgot SQL Server password anyhow. But, before that, you have to know which password you forgot. Because you can use User or System Administrative login to connect with SQL Server Management Studio. After you figure it out, follow the article below that lets you know how to recover SQL password in SQL Server 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005.

All Methods to Recover Lost SA Password of SQL Account

In the following section, we will tell you how to proceed when you lost the SQL Server ‘SA’ or ‘User’ password. So, let’s get started and learn about each and every method or ways in a detailed manner.

1. Reset User Login Password Without SSMS
2. Utilize SQLCMD to Reset the SA Password
3. Find SQL Server Password Via. Management Studio

Approach #1: Automated Tool to Fix Forgot SQL Server Password

No matter how complex or lengthy password you forgot or lost, the SQL Server SA Password Recovery can recover it easily. It can effortlessly reset User as well as SA login account password on your Windows machine without the help of Management studio. Also, it is 100 % safe for learning how to find SQL Server password forgot earlier.

It only requires the ‘master.mdf’ for the reset process. The MDF files are secured with highly encrypted passwords that cannot be easily decrypted. Due to this, software generates the alternate password instead of an actual one. With this new password, one can easily login to SSMS either from User or SA account. The free version of tool is also available which can be easily downloaded from this given link.

Above all, to retrieve SQL Server password the automated solution is very beneficial. It is a helpful utility for both the administrator and User associated with a firm where a single SQL database is provided to every individual and every user is assigned with a password. So, whenever they forgot or lost the credentials, they can easily reset with this utility. To use this software, there is no need for an administrative right. One can only need ‘master.mdf’ file and easily unlock lost password of SQL Server 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005 / 2000.

How to Recover SQL Server Login Password Step by Step If Forgot SQL Password Totally?

Step-1. Set up the software on your system and open it.

Step-2. Upload the ‘master.mdf’ file by clicking on Browse button.

Step-3. After scanning, all the Login account names appear on the screen.

Step-4. Choose the account – User or SA whose password you want to recover by selecting its corresponding box. Then, click on Reset Password button.

Step-5. Afterward, set a new password under the Password Settings window to complete learning how to find SQL Server password operation.

Approach #2: How to Reset SA Password in SQL Server using CMD

There’s a manual way with which you can recover the password. For this, your Windows account should be a member of local administrator group. Else one cannot use the CMD method. Let’s see how to recover SQL account password via. command-line procedure.

Step-1. Open cmd as an administrator and run the following command:-

Osql -S SQL_Instance_Name -E

Step-2. Once the above command done, run this cmdlet in command prompt.

EXEC sp_password NULL, ‘New_Password’, ‘Login_Name’

Go

Approach #3: How to Reset SQL Server Password Using SQL Server Management Studio

This is the SSMS method for users if forgot SQL password entirely. To use this method, you should have SQL Server administrative power. Afterward, one can use this method to unlock the database account.

Step-1. Launch the SQL Server Management Studio and Connect with it to retrieve SQL Server password.

Step-2. Go to Object Explorer and expand the Security option first. Afterward, expand the Logins.

Step-3. Select the account whose password you want to change and perform right-click on it. Select Properties from the menu.

Step-4. Under the Login Properties window, change the password and confirm it. Then, click on OK to finish learning how to find SQL Server password task.

Recover A Lost SQL Database Password with These Prevention Tips

Being aware ofa few prevention tips can help user minimize the risk of such issues again in future. Let’s have a look a the must know prevention tips here:

• Strong Password Policy – imposing password policy strict enough to iunclude minimum length clause, complex characters, upper case, lowercase, & number combination clause, etc.
• Multi-Factor Authentication – MFA help administrators to add multiple ways to verify users login like passwords, security code, fingerprints, etc.  This acts as an additional security layer for the DB.
• Password Management Tool – Password management tools are quite crucial to manage and utilize multiple passwords that are complex & hard to remember. Plus, it ends users’ confusion for login purposes to know how to find SQL password.
• Regular Backup & Maintenance – Frequent backup helps in minimising the data loss in case of password related issues of the SQL database. Moreover, it help users be prepare for any disastrous situation.
• Emergency Recovery Procedures – Emergency recovery procedures in documented form are helpful in case users don’t know how to reset SQL password if forgotten.

Troubleshoot Common Issues Users Face

Some of the common problems users face are mentioned below:

• Forgot Password – Forgetting password is not a new problem. Not just in SQL but its a generic problem users can face in any platform. However, its solution in case of SQL Server database is possible with:
  • SQL Server Management Studio
  • SQL Server Configuration Manager
  • SQL Database System Administrator

• •  

• Locked Out Account – In case users have locked out themselves of SQL Server, they can simply try to unlock themselves with the help of:

• • SQL Server Agent
  • SQL System Admin

Legal Implications to Recover SA Password

Understanding the legal aspects to recover a lost SQL database password is significant. This can assure users of no legal obstacle in between the procedure. Below are these legal aspects mentioned:

Data Privacy & Security – Accessing crucial data b recovering password without the required authorization leads to the violation of data privacy laws and regulation. Users must pay attention to recover SA password without violating any laws.

Unauthorized Access – Unathorized access to the database elads to legal action which be either fine, or imprisonment, or both. Therefore, users must be aware of the laws of the territory where they are operating.

Ethical Considerations –  Prioritizing ethical practices and respecting the boundaries in cyber space is what’s crucial to execute such an operation of learning how to reset SQL password if forgotten by users.

The Final Say

There are lots of options to explore after you realize that you have no longer access to the database because you lost the SQL Server password. In the article above, we learned about how to reset lost SA & User database password and unlock the account. Also, as per experts, we should use the SQL password recovery tool & now we know why.

Here, we focus on how to recover SQL password after User or SA forgot or lost it. Depending upon in which condition you are standing, you could pick any of the above method to fix forgot SQL Server password mess. However, the automated one is better to retrieve SQL Server password with ease.