How to: Create a SQL Server Login

Most Windows users need a SQL Server login to connect to SQL Server. This topic shows how to create a SQL Server login.

To create a SQL Server login that uses Windows Authentication (SQL Server Management Studio)

  1. In SQL Server Management Studio, open Object Explorer and expand the folder of the server instance in which to create the new login.

  2. Right-click the Security folder, point to New, and then click Login.

  3. On the General page, enter the name of a Windows user in the Login name box.

  4. Select Windows Authentication.

  5. Click OK.

To create a SQL Server login that uses SQL Server Authentication (SQL Server Management Studio)

  1. In SQL Server Management Studio, open Object Explorer and expand the folder of the server instance in which to create the new login.

  2. Right-click the Security folder, point to New, and then click Login.

  3. On the General page, enter a name for the new login in the Login name box.

  4. Select SQL Server Authentication. Windows Authentication is the more secure option.

  5. Enter a password for the login.

  6. Select the password policy options that should be applied to the new login. In general, enforcing password policy is the more secure option.

  7. Click OK.

To create a SQL Server login that uses Windows Authentication using Transact-SQL

  • In Query Editor, enter the following Transact-SQL command: CREATE LOGIN <name of Windows User> FROM WINDOWS; GO     

To create a SQL Server login that uses SQL Server Authentication (Transact-SQL)

  • In Query Editor, enter the following Transact-SQL command: CREATE LOGIN <login name> WITH PASSWORD = '<password>' ; GO