What service accounts to use when installing SQL Server 2008 on a Dev Box

Question

I am installing SQL Server 2008 on my development machine and during the install I am asked to assign accounts to the different services. What account should I use for the services where no user has been assigned if this is a simple development machine?

• Can I use the account I am logged in with (I am the only user on this machine)?
• Should I use the NT AUTHORITY/SYSTEM account?
• Can I user either or of the above or is there a downside to one or the other or should I use something totally different?

Answer 1

If it's a dev machine, I generally just go with SYSTEM. Otherwise, I try to use a domain account, since I often need to kick off SSIS packages with SQL Server Agent, and it's nice if I can just use that service account instead of creating the proxies necessary.

Answer 2

You cannot use NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE. Also you cannot use a local account.

The recommended way is to use a domain account. Next best thing is NT AUTHORITY\NETWORK SERVICE.

Answer 3

I prefer to make a dedicated local account for SQL Services with no special rights, then let the SQL Server installer grant only the necessary perms to that account. It feels safer.