Attach open mdf file database with SQL Server Management Studio

Question

Can you help me how can I open   MDF file of database created with VisualStudio 2010  into SQL Server Management Studio   Tried to attach by myself  but I cannot navigate to that file for  I guess  some security reason

User · Answer

I found this detailed post about how to open (attach) the MDF file in SQL Server Management Studio: http://learningsqlserver.wordpress.com/2011/02/13/how-can-i-open-mdf-and-ldf-files-in-sql-server-attach-tutorial-troublshooting/

I also have the issue of not being able to navigate to the file. The reason is most likely this:

The reason it won't "open" the folder is because the service account running the SQL Server Engine service does not have read permission on the folder in question. Assign the windows user group for that SQL Server instance the rights to read and list contents at the WINDOWS level. Then you should see the files that you want to attach inside of the folder.

(source: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/sqlserver/en-US/c80d8e6a-4665-4be8-b9f5-37eaaa677226/cannot-navigate-to-some-folders-when-attempting-to-attach-mdf-files-to-database-in-management?forum=sqlkjmanageability)

One solution to this problem is described here: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj219062.aspx I haven't tried this myself yet. Once I do, I'll update the answer.

Hope this helps.

User · Answer

I had the same problem   system configuration -single system with window 7 sp1 server and client both are installed on same system  I was trying to access the window desktop  As some the answer say that your Sqlserver service don t have full access to the directory  This is totally right   I solved this problem by doing a few simple steps   Go to All Programs- microsoft sql server 2008 -  configuration tools and then select sql server  configuration manager  Select the service and go to properties  In the build in Account dialog box select local system and then select ok button      Steps 3 and 4 in image are demo with accessing the folder

User · Answer

i don t know if this answer can be found on the links above  but i just run SQL management studio as Administrator and worked  Hope it helps  Cheers

User · Answer

Copy the files to the default directory for your other database files  To find out what that is  you can use the sp helpfile procedure in SSMS  On my machine it is  C  Program Files Microsoft SQL Server MSSQL10 50 SQLEXPRESS MSSQL DATA  By copying the files to this directory  they automatically get permissions applied that will allow the attach to succeed   Here is a very good explanation    How to open MDF files

User · Answer

I don t know about the older versions but for SSMS 2016 you can go to the Object Explorer and right click on the Databases entry  Then select Attach    in the context menu  Here you can browse to the  mdf file and open it

User · Answer

You may need to repair your mdf file first using some tools  There are lot of tool available in the market  There is tool called SQL Database Recovery Tool Repairs which is very useful to repair the mdf files   The issue might me because of corrupted transaction logs  you may use tool SQL Database Recovery Tool Repairs to repair your corrupted mdf file

[sql-server] Attach (open) mdf file database with SQL Server Management Studio

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