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scm-services-change-the-password-of-the-accounts-used.md

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title description author ms.author ms.date ms.service ms.subservice ms.topic helpviewer_keywords
Change the password of the accounts used (SQL Server Configuration Manager)
Find out how to change the password of the accounts that the Database Engine and the SQL Server Agent use. Learn when it's important to change the password.
rwestMSFT
randolphwest
01/23/2025
sql
configuration
how-to
expired password [SQL Server], SQL Server Agent
passwords [SQL Server], SQL Server Agent service
passwords [SQL Server], changing
expired password [SQL Server], Database Engine
passwords [SQL Server], SQL Server service
Database Engine [SQL Server], passwords
changing passwords used by SQL Server
modifying passwords

SQL Server Configuration Manager: Change the password of the accounts used

[!INCLUDE SQL Server]

This article describes how to change the password of the accounts used by the [!INCLUDE ssdenoversion-md] and the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] Agent by using SQL Server Configuration Manager.

The [!INCLUDE ssDEnoversion] and [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] Agent run on a computer as a service using credentials that are initially provided during setup. If the instance of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] is running under a domain account and the password for that account is changed, the password used by [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] must be updated to the new password. If the password isn't updated, [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] might lose access to some domain resources and if [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] stops, the service don't restart until the password is updated.

To change [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] Authentication passwords, see Choose an authentication mode.

Before you begin

SQL Server Configuration Manager is the tool designed and authorized to change the settings of the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] services. Changing a [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] service by using the Windows Service Control Manager (services.msc) application doesn't always change all of the necessary settings and might prevent the service from functioning properly. However, in a clustered environment, after changing the password on the active node by using SQL Server Configuration Manager, you must change the password on the passive node by using the Service Control Manager.

It's also possible to automate password management through group-managed service accounts.

Permissions

You must be an administrator of the computer to change the password used by a service.

Use SQL Server Configuration Manager

Change the password used by the SQL Server (Database Engine) service

  1. Select the Start button, point to All Programs, point to [!INCLUDE ssCurrentUI], point to Configuration Tools, and then select SQL Server Configuration Manager.

    Because SQL Server Configuration Manager is a snap-in for the [!INCLUDE msconame-md] Management Console program and not a stand-alone program, SQL Server Configuration Manager doesn't appear as an application in newer versions of Windows.

    Operating system Details
    Windows 10 and Windows 11 To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, on the Start Page, type SQLServerManager16.msc (for [!INCLUDE sssql22-md]). For other versions of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion], replace 16 with the appropriate number. Selecting SQLServerManager16.msc opens the Configuration Manager. To pin the Configuration Manager to the Start Page or Task Bar, right-click SQLServerManager16.msc, and then select Open file location. In the Windows File Explorer, right-click SQLServerManager16.msc, and then select Pin to Start or Pin to taskbar.
    Windows 8 To open SQL Server Configuration Manager, in the Search charm, under Apps, type SQLServerManager<version>.msc, such as SQLServerManager16.msc, and then press Enter.

  2. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, select SQL Server Services.

  3. In the details pane, right-click SQL Server (<instancename>), and then select Properties.

  4. In the SQL Server (<instancename>) Properties dialog box, on the Log On tab, for the account listed in the Account Name box, type the new password in the Password and Confirm Password boxes, and then select OK.

    The password change made in SQL Server Configuration Manager takes effect immediately, without the need to restart the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] service. If you use the Windows Services app (services.msc) to change the account password, a service restart is required.

Change the password used by the SQL Server Agent service

  1. Select the Start button, point to All Programs, point to [!INCLUDE ssCurrentUI], point to Configuration Tools, and then select SQL Server Configuration Manager.

  2. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, select SQL Server Services.

  3. In the details pane, right-click SQL Server Agent (<instancename>), and then select Properties.

  4. In the SQL Server Agent (<instancename>) Properties dialog box, on the Log On tab, for the account listed in the Account Name box, type the new password in the Password and Confirm Password boxes, and then select OK.

    On a stand-alone instance of [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion], the password takes effect immediately, without restarting [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion]. On a clustered instance, [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] might take the [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] resource offline, and require a restart.

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