How to start MySQL with --skip-grant-tables?

Question

I locked my root user out from our database. I need to get all privileges back to the root user. I have my password and I can log in to MySQL. But the root user has no all privileges.

Answer 1

I had the same problem as the title of this question, so incase anyone else googles upon this question and wants to start MySql in 'skip-grant-tables' mode on Windows, here is what I did.

Stop the MySQL service through Administrator tools, Services.

Modify the my.ini configuration file (assuming default paths)

C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.5\my.ini

or for MySQL version >= 5.6

C:\ProgramData\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.6\my.ini 

In the SERVER SECTION, under [mysqld], add the following line:

skip-grant-tables

so that you have

# SERVER SECTION
# ----------------------------------------------------------------------
#
# The following options will be read by the MySQL Server. Make sure that
# you have installed the server correctly (see above) so it reads this 
# file.
#
[mysqld]

skip-grant-tables

Start the service again and you should be able to log into your database without a password.