How to delete (localdb) database if the file is gone

sql-server localdb
Bob.at.Indigo.Health picture Bob.at.Indigo.Health · Nov 16, 2012 · Viewed 19.1k times · Source

If I run SQL Server Management Studio, and tell it to connect to (localdb)\v11.0, it knows about every database I've ever used, despite the fact that most of the the database files are long gone.

If I ask it to delete one of these databases, it complains that it can't DROP the database because the database file is gone (duhhh). So, how do I clean up this mess and delete all of database references whose assicated database files are gone?

Bob

Answer

IRM picture IRM · Dec 2, 2012

In this situation, detach the database rather than trying to drop it. In SQL Management Studio, right-click on the database, select "Tasks" then "Detach".

Related questions

What is the connection string for localdb for version 11

I'm trying to do the Code First Walkthrough of the entity framework ( http://blogs.msdn.com/b/adonet/archive/2011/09/28/ef-4-2-code-first-walkthrough.aspx ). I have the latest SQL Server Express and when I check my versions available via command line (…

Read More
How to add LocalDB to Visual Studio 2015 Community's SQL Server Object Explorer?

Problem I don't understand how to make LocalDB show up in the SQL Server Object Explorer. On some VMs, it shows up automatically, on some other VMs, it doesn't. Still, after googling for hours, I don't get it. Current situation …

Read More
How to install localdb separately?

If I have to work with localdb, do we need to install it separately? I have SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Studio installed, SQL Server 2012 installed, .net 4.0.2 update installed. But I don't see localdb in the PC yet.

Read More