How to: Configure Server Startup Options (SQL Server Configuration Manager)

Use SQL Server Configuration Manager to configure startup options to be used each time the Database Engine starts. For a list of startup options, see Using the SQL Server Service Startup Options.

SQL Server Configuration Manager writes startup parameters to the registry. They take effect upon the next startup of the Database Engine.

Note

On a cluster, changes must be made on the active server while SQL Server is online, and will take effect when the Database Engine is restarted. The registry update of the startup options on the other node will occur upon the next failover.

To configure startup options

  1. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, click SQL Server Services.

  2. In the right pane, right-click SQL Server (<instance_name>), and then click Properties.

  3. On the Advanced tab, in the Startup Parameters box, type the parameters separated by semicolons (;).

    For example, to start in single-user mode, insert -m; in front of the existing startup options, and then restart the database. (When you start SQL Server in single-user mode, first stop SQL Server Agent. Otherwise, SQL Server Agent might connect first and prevent you from connecting as a second user.)

    Important

    After you are finished using single-user mode, you must remove the -m; from the Startup Parameters box before you can restart the server instance in the normal multi-user mode.

  4. Click OK.

  5. Restart the Database Engine.