How to change sa password in SQL Server 2008 express?

Question

I have installed SQL Server 2008 express and logging in through windows authentication, it doesn\'t allow me to do anything. How do i change \'sa\' password or gain full pri

Answer 1

This is what worked for me:

• Close all Sql Server referencing apps.
• Open Services in Control Panel.
• Find the "SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)" entry and select properties.
• Stop the service (all Sql Server services).
• Enter "-m" at the Start parameters" fields.
• Start the service (click on Start button on General Tab).
• Open a Command Prompt (right click, Run as administrator if needed).

• Enter the command:

  osql -S localhost\SQLEXPRESS -E

  (or change localhost to whatever your PC is called).

• At the prompt type the following commands:

  CREATE LOGIN my_Login_here WITH PASSWORD = 'my_Password_here'

  go

  sp_addsrvrolemember 'my_Login_here', 'sysadmin'

  go

  quit

• Stop the "SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)" service.

• Remove the "-m" from the Start parameters field (if still there).

• Start the service.

• In Management Studio, use the login and password you just created. This should give it admin permission.