Know How to Reset SQL Password for SA Users

Changing passwords is the most unwanted task for everyone. Specially resetting passwords for platforms like SQL Server might get even more complex. Well, this is why we’re going to mention all the solutions to learn how to reset SQL password for SA users. This article is going to consist of both manual as well as automated solutions that result in the desired output without any hassles.

In this article, the methods we are going to mention are the SSMS method for SA users, the Command Prompt method, and the advanced automated solution for SA users.

Why is it Required to Reset SQL Server SA Password?

Before proceeding with the methods on how to reset SQL password, here are some of the reasons that demand the users to change the default SA password:

• To secure the database from any security risks and unauthorized access, it is required for the users to secure the database by resetting the password. 
• When the SQL Server accounts are set up, they use the default SA password, which is easier to guess. To secure the database and set a stronger password, it is required for the users to set a stronger password. 
• Users also reset SQL SA password to follow up with compliance regulations and maintain audits. 
• When a database administrator or an employee leaves, it is required for the users to reset the passwords to secure the database from any threats or leaks. 

These are a few reasons that require the reset SQL SA password process and further create challenges, in case a user doesn’t update the passwords accordingly.

What Are the Challenges Encountered With Changing the Default SA Password in SQL?

When a database administrator tries to reset the password in SQL Server, they might come across various challenges. Here, we will discuss these challenges in how to reset SQL password one by one and try to resolve these issues using optimal methods. 

• If the user changes the SQL SA password without updating it in the linked applications or services, they will fail to connect with the database, resulting in service downtime. 
• If the user doesn’t have sufficient permissions to reset the passwords, they will not be able to fulfill the desired task and further access the database. 
• Users must plan the password change, as an unplanned process might lead to disruptions in the database operations and workflow.

How to Change SQL Server SA Password with SSMS

The very first method, as we said, is the SSMS method. Here, we are going to discuss the method involving the SQL Server Management Studio to change default SA password that requires no commands for execution.

Prerequisite – Make sure that Windows Authentication is enabled on your system to execute this method. Then, only follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step-1. Open SSMS, and Select Windows Authentication to continue.

Step-2. Hit the Connect button that leads to the server dashboard.

Step-3. Double Click on Server Account Name Folder > Go to Security > Logins option.

Step-4. Now, simply Right Click on the SA & from the list, Click on the Properties option.

Step-5. Now, the system administrator properties will open up to proceed for further tasks.

Step-6. Reset SQL Account Password using available options and then Click OK button.

Step-7. That’s it. The password for your SA account is now changed without any query.

Now, in case users are not able to connect with the SSMS to change the default SA password due to any sort of issues, they need to drop this method. Instead, they have to use the command line method that uses SQL-compatible transcript files to reset SQL SA password.

How to Reset SQL Password Using Scripts

Here, we are at the transcript method. However, before we start, we need to make it very clear that this method is not that efficient. This is because plenty of users reported data loss and severe corruption due to false commands to reset SQL Server SA password & heavy confusion. We advise users to follow these commands very sincerely to avoid any negative effects to the server.

To execute this method, users must have Windows authentication enabled. Run the below query:

GO
ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE=[master]
GO
USE [master]
GO
ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH PASSWORD=N’NewPassword’ MUST_CHANGE
GO

At the place of NewPassword, simply write the new passwords that users need to reset. Then, try to log in to the SQL Server with these new credentials. If it opens, that’s it, you’re done; if not, then repeat the process of how to reset SQL password.

This is the way to know how to change SQL password for SA users using the commands. Then simply move ahead. In case users don’t have SQL authentication, then they have to follow the below-mentioned solution using the command prompt to reset SQL SA password.

1. Go to Start & Search for Command Prompt.
2. Also, Launch it with the Administration access.
3. Now, Type osql -L & Press the Enter key to proceed.
4. Type OSQL -S server -E and run this with the Enter key.
5. Write command EXEC sp_password NULL, ‘password’, ’sa’.
6. Now Press Enter & then write the New Password that users try to keep.
7. Write GO and then press Enter. After that Type Exit & again Press Enter.
8. Login with the new password to check if the new password is working or not.

Also Read: How to Recover SQL PAssword with Ease

Reset SQL Password Using the Automated Utility

Just in case, all the manual solutions for how to reset SQL password are not favourable to users or they find them very complex and risky, there is one solution that SQL MVPs recommend. This advanced solution is the SysTools SQL Password Recovery Tool for sure. This utility has been performing outstandingly for the last decade.

Yes, it’s been one of the most renowned solutions that even SQL MVPs recommend to SQL users. The best thing about this is that users don’t even need a SQL environment to learn how to reset SQL password for SA users. Just follow the simple & easy four steps to proceed further with the reset SQL Server SA password process.

Step-1. Launch Software to learn how to change SQL Server SA password.

Step-2. Browse and select the MDF file from the system that has all the information. 

Step-3. Preview the Login Details of Users as shown in the image without any errors.

Step-4. Reset the Password & Click on the OK button to finish the default SA password reset process.

Now, as we have learned almost all the solutions, it’s time to end the article. However, there are still a few topics here. Topics like the tips to make the process more smooth & easier, Conclusion & last but not least, the frequently asked questions from the users.

Tips to Change SQL Server Password Without Any Errors

There are no hardcore tips but just observations from users & SQL MVPs or experts as per their experiences. This can help users get the perfect solution without a single error.

• Make sure to keep a backup of the entire SQL database before running any command or any step of the above manual solutions.
• To avoid hassles & save time, use the automated solution, which really helped plenty of users to reset SQL Server password for SA users as well as individual users.
• Always use Windows Authentication for in case users opt out for the manual solutions of SSMS or transcript commands.
• Always make sure that there’ll be no hindrance in the power supply, network, etc, to learn how to change SQL Server SA password.
• Last tip is to be mentally available at every step to make sure that there is no false command getting entered in the command prompt.

Conclusion

Finally, after discussing all the crucial aspects here, we hope users know how to reset SQL password for all types of users. Whether it be SA Users or individual database analysts, the advanced tool is more favourable. Otherwise, users are free to select any of the preferred solutions mentioned above based on their requirements.

FAQs

Q-1. What is the SA user in SQL Server?
Ans: SA stands for system administrator & an SA account is the account having all the access to the SQL Server operations. This is also the most targetted account by attackers.

Q-2. Are SQL passwords case sensitive?
Ans: Users learning how to reset password SQL Server SA must know that the SQL Server passwords is case sensitive.

Q-3. What are the limitations of passwords in SQL?
Ans: The SQL Server passwords can only be 128 characters long & not more than that.

Q-4. What is the default password for SQL ServerSA User?
Ans: By default, the SQL Server SA password is blank (NULL).