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 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.