SQL Server Management Studio 2005 - Change Default Directory for Backup Location

Question

Using MS SQL Server Management Studio 2005 - To Restore a Database:

• Restore Database
• (*) From Device:
• Click "..." Button
• Backup media: File
• Click "Add" Button
• Popup Window: "Locate Backup File"

That window Defaults to C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\Backup

How do I configure MS SQL Server Management Studio to look in D:\data\databases\
instead of looking in C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\Backup ?

Answer 1

In the registry, edit the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQLServer\BackupDirectory value to point to d:\data\databases

Answer 2

It's stored in the registry.

On my computer, it's at...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQLServer

There is a registry key named BackupDirectory

I suspect the registry key will be in a different location for you (I have 64 bit vista). I did a search in my registry for 'MSSQL.1\Backup' to find it.

Answer 3

For convenience, here's a reg file entry to do this:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQLServer]
"BackupDirectory"="D:\\data\\databases\\"