drop-master-key-transact-sql.md

---

title: "DROP MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL) | Microsoft Docs" ms.custom: "" ms.date: "03/06/2017" ms.prod: "sql" ms.prod_service: "sql-data-warehouse, pdw, sql-database" ms.service: "" ms.component: "t-sql|statements" ms.reviewer: "" ms.suite: "sql" ms.technology:

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• "DROP MASTER KEY"
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• "TSQL" helpviewer_keywords:
• "removing Database Master Keys"
• "database master key [SQL Server], removing"
• "encryption [SQL Server], Database Master Key"
• "DROP MASTER KEY statement"
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• "dropping Database Master Keys"
• "deleting Database Master Keys" ms.assetid: 5ccef797-408f-4964-80da-965d8e1ccba7 caps.latest.revision: 34 author: "edmacauley" ms.author: "edmaca" manager: "craigg" ms.workload: "On Demand" monikerRange: ">= aps-pdw-2016 || = azure-sqldw-latest || >= sql-server-2016 || = sqlallproducts-allversions"

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DROP MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)

[!INCLUDEtsql-appliesto-ss2008-xxxx-asdw-pdw-md]

Removes the master key from the current database.

Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions

Syntax

DROP MASTER KEY  

Arguments

This statement takes no arguments.

Remarks

The drop will fail if any private key in the database is protected by the master key.

Permissions

Requires CONTROL permission on the database.

Examples

The following example removes the master key for the AdventureWorks2012 database.

USE AdventureWorks2012;  
DROP MASTER KEY;  
GO  

Examples: [!INCLUDEssSDWfull] and [!INCLUDEssPDW]

The following example removes the master key.

USE master;  
DROP MASTER KEY;  
GO  

See Also

CREATE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
OPEN MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
CLOSE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
BACKUP MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
RESTORE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
ALTER MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
Encryption Hierarchy