1.Open a command prompt window by selecting “Start”–>”Run…”, and typing “cmd.exe” in the “Run” dialog box.

2.Change to the directory in which the MSSQL or MSDE utilities are stored (this is usually C:MSDEbinn, C:Program FilesMSSQLbinn, etc.).

3.Type the following command where <newpassword> is the password you have chosen:

With the rights that the sa login has by default in SQL Server, it is imperative to change this password on a regular basis whether it is monthly, quarterly or semi-annually.  In addition, as DBAs move on to other opportunities, it is wise to change the sa password as well.  Changing the sa password should be a relatively easy process requiring little to no impact on the organization.  Unfortunately, changing the sa password on a regular basis is not a common practice at most organizations, because the impacts of changing the password are unknown. Read more

A few days ago, I had a painful exprience that I lost sa password on my MS SQL Server database, and I almost took the whole weekend to look for some efficient SA password recovery solutions. I asked friends, searched on Internet and even bought some books… Fortunately, I finally got MS SQL Server Password Unlocker and it instantly changed the SA password but no data loss. Besides, I also got a couple of good “recover SA password” solutions in order to save your weekend in case you have lost or forgot MS SQL Server passwords (SA password!)

Option 1 : Use MS SQL Server Password Unlocker to Reset SA Password

The most direct, efficient and fastest way to reset SA password is to take use of the third part utility – MS SQL Server Password Unlocker. Just two steps:

Step 1: Access to master.mdf file, which is default at C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL\Data\master.mdf

Read more

The sa account has full rights in the MS SQL Sever environment. When you install the MS SQL Server program, the sa account is created and sa password is default blank (NULL). You can also change the blank sa password to a strong one when the setup program is running. Read more