How to: Delete Data or Log Files from a Database (SQL Server Management Studio)

This topic describes how to delete data or log files from a database by using Object Explorer in SQL Server Management Studio.

Important

A file must be empty before it can be deleted. For more information, see How to: Shrink a File (SQL Server Management Studio).

To delete data or log files from a database

  1. In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of the SQL Server 2005 Database Engine and then expand that instance.

  2. Expand Databases, right-click the database from which to delete the file, and then click Properties.

  3. Select the Files page.

  4. In the Database files grid, select the file to delete and then click Remove.

  5. Click OK.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Shrink a Database (SQL Server Management Studio)
How to: Add Data or Log Files to a Database (SQL Server Management Studio)

Concepts

Adding and Deleting Data and Transaction Log Files

Other Resources

Database Engine How-to Topics
Indexes How-to Topics

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance