Hey everyone, I’m having trouble with SQL Management Studio. I want to start over from scratch but I can’t seem to get rid of everything.
I’ve tried to uninstall all the SQL stuff on my computer, including Management Studio itself. But when I install it again, all my old databases and data are still there! It’s driving me crazy.
Does anyone know how to get a totally clean slate? Like, as if I’ve never used SQL Management Studio before? I’m using version 17.9 if that helps.
I’ve looked online but couldn’t find a clear answer. Any tips or tricks would be really appreciated. Thanks in advance!
hey mate, try this: after uninstalling, go to C:\Program Files and delete any SQL Server folders. check C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Local too. then remove SQL services from Windows Services. lastly, hunt for .mdf and .ldf files and delete em. reinstall after that and you should be good to go!
hey there! have u tried deletin the SQL Server folders in C:\Program Files? check ur AppData too and clear SQL services. did u find any sneaky .mdf or .ldf files? hope this helps - lemme know what u think!
To get a truly clean slate with SQL Management Studio, you’ll need to go beyond just uninstalling the software. First, use the official SQL Server uninstaller tool from Microsoft to remove all components thoroughly. Then, manually delete any leftover files and folders in locations like ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server’ and ‘C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft SQL Server’.
Don’t forget to check for and remove any remaining database files (.mdf and .ldf) in your data directories. These often persist even after uninstallation. Also, clear out any SQL Server services from the Windows Services console.
After ensuring everything’s gone, reinstall SQL Management Studio. This approach should give you the fresh start you’re looking for. Just remember to back up any important data before starting this process.