File Paths for SQL Server 2000

Installing SQL Server

Installing SQL Server

File Paths for SQL Server 2000

In Microsoft® SQL Server™ 2000, the default location for the installed SQL Server files has changed. For the default instance of SQL Server, the default directory for both program and data files is \Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql. You can specify a file path other than the default for both program and data files.

Shared Tools are installed by default at \Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools. This folder contains files shared by all instances of SQL Server 2000, both default and named. Tools include SQL Server Books Online, Dev Tools, and other components.

Setup also installs files in the Microsoft Windows® system directory. The system file location cannot be changed.

SQL Server Program File Location

The SQL Server program files are located in \Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql\Binn.

The program file location is the root directory where Setup creates the folders that contain program files and files that typically do not change as you use SQL Server. Although these files are not read-only, the folders do not contain data, log, backup files, or replication data; therefore, the space requirements for these files should not increase as SQL Server is used.

Note  Program files cannot be installed on a removable disk drive.

SQL Server Data File Location

The SQL Server data files are located in \Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Mssql\Data.

The data file location is the root directory where Setup creates the folders that contain database and log files, as well as directories for the system log, backup, and replication data. Setup creates database and log files for the master, model, tempdb, msdb, pubs, and Northwind databases. The SQL Server data file path should be located on a drive that has space available for these files to grow.

Note  Data files cannot be installed on a file system using compression.

Specifying File Paths

In SQL Server 2000, due to multiple instance options, the instance name is used in addition to the user-specified location for program and data files. For tools and other shared files, however, instance names are not required.

Default Instance File Path for Program and Data Files

For the default instance of SQL Server, the default SQL Server directory name (Mssql) is used as the default instance name, along with the directory you specify.

For example, if you specify that the SQL Server default instance be installed at D:\MySqlDir, the file paths are:

  • D:\MySqlDir\Mssql\Binn (for program files)

  • D:\MySqlDir\Mssql\Data (for data files)
Named Instance File Path for Program and Data Files

For any named instances, the given name of the instance is used with the directory specified.

For example, if you specify that the instance named MyInstanceA be installed at D:\MySqlDir, the paths are:

  • D:\MySqlDir\MSSQL$MyInstanceA\Binn (for program files)

  • D:\MySqlDir\MSSQL$MyInstanceA\Data (for data files)

See Also

File Locations for Multiple Instances of SQL Server

Locating Directories and Files