View or Change the Default Locations for Data and Log Files (SQL Server Management Studio)

This topic describes how to view and change the default locations of new data and log files in SQL Server 2012 by using SQL Server Management Studio. The default path is obtained from the registry. After you change the location all new databases created in the instance of SQL Server will use that location if a different location is not specified.

In This Topic

• Before you begin:

  Recommendations

• To view or change the data and log file default locations, using:

  SQL Server Management Studio

• Follow Up:  Changing the Default Locations

Before You Begin

Recommendations

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.

Security

Permissions

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Using SQL Server Management Studio

To view or change the default locations for database files

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

2. In the left panel, click the Database settings page.

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.

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Follow Up: After Changing the Default Locations

You must stop and start the SQL Server service to complete the change.

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See Also

Reference

CREATE DATABASE (Transact-SQL)

Concepts

Create a Database