Sometimes, you might run into a situation where you need to reset the password for a SQL user account.
The process is quite simple as below. (Note : only for Server 2008 and 2008r2).
Step 1: Open an elevated command prompt and run the following command to stop SQL services:
NET STOP MSSQLSERVER
Step 2: Next, we will need to start SQL Server in single-user mode. This is done by running the following command:
NET START MSSQLSERVER /m
Step 3: Now, open up SQL Server Management Studio and log in using Windows Authentication:
Step 4: Expand Security, and then Logins. Find your SQL user account, right click it and select Properties.
Step 5: Enter in the new password and confirm it, then click OK.
Step 6: Go back to your elevated command prompt, and restart SQL Server with the following two commands:
NET STOP MSSQLSERVER
NET START MSSQLSERVER
Step 7: Confirm that your new login is working and you’re done!