Reset SQL Single User Mode

Sql Server -m is the parameter you would use to start SQL in single user mode.

There are a number of reasons why you would want to do this which we will explain later in the article, but first how to quickly get your SQL box into single user mode.

These examples are done using both SQL 2008 and SQL 2012.

Open up SQL Server Configuration Manager

Single User Mode SQL 2008

Right click on the SQL Server instance and select properties | Advanced

Add a semicolon and -m to the existing start up parameters (normally you will need to follow it with a semi colon)

E.g

Restart SQL

Single User Mode SQL 2012

Right click on the SQL Server instance and select properties | Startup Parameters

In the box that says Specify a startup parameter type in -m and click add.

Restart SQL

To check the setting has applied try and add more than one connection. You should see an error like this.

Why Use Single User Mode?

One of the more common reasons to use this command is if you need to restore the master database.

Personally I have had this happen, more than once and -m saved the day.

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