• Article

How to: View or Change the Default Locations for Data and Log Files (SQL Server Management Studio)

This topic explains how to view and configure the default locations of new data and log files by using SQL Server Management Studio.

To view or change the default locations for database files

  1. In Object Explorer, right-click a server and click Properties.

  2. In the left panel, click the Database settings page.

  3. In Database default locations, view the current default locations for new data files and new log files. To change a default location, enter a new default pathname in the Data or Log field, or click the browse button to find and select a pathname.

    Security noteSecurity Note

    The best practice for protecting your data files and log files is to ensure that they are protected by access control lists (ACLs). The ACLs should be set on the directory root under which the files are created.