Know How to Reset SQL Password for SA Users

Changing passwords is the most unwanted task for everyone. Specially resetting passwords for platforms like SQL Server might get even more complex. Well, this is why, we’re going to mention all the solutions to learn how to reset SQL password for SA users. Evidently, this article is going to consist of both manual as well as automated solutions that result in the desired output without any hassles.

In this article, the methods we are going to mention are the SSMS method for SA users, the Command Prompt method, and the advanced automated solution for SA users.

How to Change SQL Server SA Password with SSMS

The very first method as we said is the SSMS method. Here, we are going to discuss the method involving the SQL Server Management Studio that requires no command to execute.

Prerequisite – Make sure that Windows Authentication is enabled on your system to execute this method. Then only follow the below-mentioned steps:

Step-1. Open SSMS, and Select Windows Authentication to continue.

Step-2. Hit the Connect button that leads to the server dashboard.

Step-3. Double Click on Server Account Name Folder > Go to Security > Logins option.

Step-4. Now, simply Right Click on the SA & from the list, Click on the Properties option.

Step-5. Now, the system administrator properties will open up to proceed for further tasks.

Step-6. Reset SQL Account Password using available options and then Click OK button.

Step-7. That’s it. The password for your SA account is now changed without any query.

Now, in case users are not able to connect with the SSMS due to any sort of issues, they need to drop this method. Instead, they have to use the command line method that uses SQL-compatible transcript files.

How to Reset SQL Password Using Scripts

Here, we are at the transcript method. However, before we start, we need to make it very clear that this method is not that efficient. This is because plenty of users reported that data loss and severe corruption due to false commands & heavy confusion. We advise users to follow these commands very sincerely to avoid any negative effects to the server.

To execute this method also, users must have Windows authentication enabled. Run the below query:

GO
ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE=[master]
GO
USE [master]
GO
ALTER LOGIN [sa] WITH PASSWORD=N’NewPassword’ MUST_CHANGE
GO

At the place of NewPAssword, simply write the new passwords that users need to reset. Then try to login to the SQL Server with these new credentials. If it opens, that’s it, you’re done or repeat the process.

This is the way to know how to change SQL password for SA users using the commands. Then simply, move ahead. In case users don’t have SQL authentication, then they have to follow this below mentioned solution using command prompt.

1. Go to Start & Search for Command Prompt.
2. Also, Launch it with the Administration access.
3. Now, Type osql -L & Press the Enter key to proceed.
4. Type OSQL -S server -E and run this with the Enter key.
5. Write command EXEC sp_password NULL, ‘password’, ’sa’.
6. Now Press Enter & then write the New Password that users try to keep.
7. Write GO and then press Enter. After that Type Exit & again Press Enter.
8. Login with the new password to check if the new password is working or not.

Also Read: How to Recover SQL PAssword with Ease

Reset SQL Password Using the Automated Utility

Just in case, all the manual solutions are not favourable of users or they find them very complex and risky, there is one solutions that SQL MVPs recommend. This advanced solutions is SysTools SQL Password Recovery Tool for sure. This utility has been performing outstanding for the last entire decade.

Yes, It’s been one of the most renowned solution that even SQL MVPs recommend to SQL users. The best thing about this is that users don’t even need a SQL environment to learn how to reset SQL password for SA users. Just follow the simple & easy four steps to proceed further.

Step-1. Launch Software to learn how to change SQL Server SA password.

Step-2. Browse and select the MDF file from the system having all information. 

Step-3. Preview the Login Details of Users as shown in image without any errors.

Step-4. Reset the Password & Click on the OK button to finish off the SQL password reset.

Now, as we have learned almost all the solutions, it’s time that we end the article. However, there are still a few things topics here. Topics like the tips to make the process more smooth & easier, Conclusion & last but not least, the frequently asked questions from the users.

Tips to Change SQL Server Password without Any Errors

There are not any hard core tips but just observations from users & SQL MVPs or experts as per their experiences. This can help users get the perfect solution without a single error.

• Make sure to keep a backup of the entire SQL database before running any command or any step of the above manual solutions.
• To avoid hassles & save time, use the automated solution which really helped plenty of users to reset SQL Server password for SA users as well as individual users.
• Always use Windows Authentication for in case users are opting out for the manual solutions of SSMS or transcript commands.
• Always make sure that there’ll be no hindrance in the power supply, network, etc  to learn how to change SQL Server SA password.
• Last tip is to be mentally available at every step to make sure that there is no false command getting entered in the command prompt.

Conclusion

Finally, after discussing all the crucial aspects here, we hope users know how to reset SQL password for all types of users. Whether it be SA Users or individual database analysts, the advanced tool is more favourable. Otherwise, users are free to select any of the preferred solutions mentioned above based on their requirements.

FAQs

Q-1. What is the SA user in SQL Server?
Ans: SA stands for system administrator & an SA account is the account having all the access to the SQL Server operations. This is also the most targetted account by attackers.

Q-2. Are SQL passwords case sensitive?
Ans: Users learning how to reset password SQL Server SA must know that the SQL Server passwords is case sensitive.

Q-3. What are the limitations of passwords in SQL?
Ans: The SQL Server passwords can only be 128 characters long & not more than that.

Q-4. What is the default password for SQL ServerSA User?
Ans: By default, the SQL Server SA password is blank (NULL).