howto move sql server system databases

23 Aug 2006

Here’s a couple of links on how to move the MS SQL Server system databases:

• KB224071
• sql-server-performance.com SQL Startup Parameters

In a nutshell:

• for master, change startup parameters in Server Properties, stop SQL Server, move files, start SQL Server
• for other system databases, restart SQL Server using Trace Flag 3608 (-T3608 startup param), use sp_detach_db and sp_attach_db, restart without Trace Flag
• if SQL Server won’t start because of an error in the startup settings, the settings can be edited here:

HKLM/SOFTWARE/Microsoft/MSSQLServer/MSSQLServerParameters