view-or-change-the-default-locations-for-data-and-log-files.md

title	View or Change the Default Locations for Data and Log Files | Microsoft Docs
ms.custom
ms.date	06/13/2017
ms.prod	sql
ms.prod_service	high-availability
ms.reviewer
ms.technology	configuration
ms.topic	conceptual
helpviewer_keywords	log files [SQL Server], changing default location data files [SQL Server], changing default location
ms.assetid	70a57fda-fcfe-490f-9cf6-5df620e32b2a
author	MikeRayMSFT
ms.author	mikeray

View or Change the Default Locations for Data and Log Files

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The best practice for protecting your data files and log files is to ensure that they are protected by access control lists (ACLs). Set the ACLs on the directory root under which the files are created.

View or change the default locations for database files

1. In Object Explorer, right-click on your server and click Properties.

2. In the left panel on that Properties page, click the Database settings tab.

3. 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.

NOTE: After changing the default locations, you must stop and start the SQL Server service to complete the change.

See also

CREATE DATABASE (SQL Server Transact-SQL)
Create a Database