I’ve forgotten the password of SA account, therefore I am not able to login to my SQL Server 2008 R2. I have another account, but with no special privileges. Anyone here can tell me how to reset SQL Server 2008 password? Thanks in advance.
Users who don’t regularly log into the SQL Server database sometimes may forget their passwords. What annoying and terrible experience it is for someone who forgot SQL Server 2008 password. Thankfully, there are effective methods and tools which can perfectly troubleshoot this problem.
Reset SQL Server 2008 password with SQL Password Recovery.
Using SQL Password Recovery to reset a forgotten 2008 SQL server password might be your best choice. Since SQL Server 2008 introduces the policy of the password and account lockout, the SA password requires a relatively high strength and needs containing uppercase and lowercase letter, numbers and symbols. If the password doesn’t meet to the requirements, then you will not be allowed to continue the installation. Therefore, once you forgot SA password on SQL Server 2008, it would be quite hard to crack it in a short time. However, good news is that this tool—SQL Password Recovery can quickly reset and change the forgotten SQL Server 2008 within minutes based on its advanced built-in algorithm technique.
How SQL Password Recovery works on forgotten SQL Server 2008 password reset?
Step1: Launch SQL Password Recovery program.
First, you can download this magical program from this site: http://www.sqlpassword-recovery.com/. Next install and launch it on your computer.
Step2: Load *.mdf file.
Now you will see an interface of RAR Password Recovery. Next all you need to do is to give a click on “Open” to load the target master *.mdf file into this program.
Step3: Reset and Change SQL Server 2008 password.
After importing the master *.mdf file to the program, you will see all user names will be displayed in a list. All you need to do now is to select the user account which you want to reset the password for, and then click “Change Password”.
Step4: Successful password reset.
Now enter a new password for this account and then confirm it with clicking “OK” button in the end. Until here you have successfully reset and changed the forgotten or lost SQL Server 2008 password.
Source: http://www.sqlpassword-recovery.com/reset-sql-server-2008-password.html
