| title | View or Change the Default Locations for Data and Log Files (SQL Server Management Studio) | Microsoft Docs | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ms.custom | |||
| ms.date | 06/13/2017 | ||
| ms.prod | sql-server-2014 | ||
| ms.reviewer | |||
| ms.technology | configuration | ||
| ms.topic | conceptual | ||
| helpviewer_keywords |
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| ms.assetid | 70a57fda-fcfe-490f-9cf6-5df620e32b2a | ||
| author | MikeRayMSFT | ||
| ms.author | mikeray | ||
| manager | craigg |
This topic describes how to view and change the default locations of new data and log files in [!INCLUDEssCurrent] by using [!INCLUDEssManStudioFull]. The default path is obtained from the registry. After you change the location all new databases created in the instance of [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] will use that location if a different location is not specified.
In This Topic
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Before you begin:
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To view or change the data and log file default locations, using:
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Follow Up: Changing the Default Locations
The best practice for protecting your data files and log files is to ensure that they are protected by access control lists (ACLs). The ACLs should be set on the directory root under which the files are created.
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In Object Explorer, right-click a server and click Properties.
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In the left panel, click the Database settings page.
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In Database default locations, view the current default locations for new data files and new log files. To change a default location, enter a new default pathname in the Data or Log field, or click the browse button to find and select a pathname.
You must stop and start the SQL Server service to complete the change.