ALTER LOGIN for SA fails with 15151 error SQL Server 2008 R2

Question

_{Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:38 AM}

Hi,

   We are getting the below error when we are trying to reset the password of 'sa' using a Security admin user.

Error:

Cannot alter the login 'sa' because it does not exist or you do not have permission. (Microsoft SQL server, Error: 15151)

All replies (4)

_{Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:53 AM ✅Answered}

No. When you want to alter a different principal you need at least the same or higher permissions; and SysAdmin is already the role with the highest permissions.

Olaf Helper

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_{Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:40 AM}

Hello,

To alter the "sa" account you need "System Admin" permissions, because "sa" is a System admin; "Security Admin" permission are not enough.

Olaf Helper

[ Blog] [ Xing] [ MVP]

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_{Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:44 AM}

Thanks Olaf. 

SysAdmin is the only solution? or can we try ServerAdmin?

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_{Thursday, October 13, 2016 11:58 AM}

If you have windows authentication, try to alter the password using windows authentication.

Please click "Mark As Answer" if my post helped. Vijay.