Cannot create SQL Server Express Login - Login Failed for User

Shaun Luttin picture Shaun Luttin · Apr 17, 2015 · Viewed 12.7k times · Source

I have created a new login for SQL Server Express as follows:

USE [master]
GO
CREATE LOGIN [Test] WITH PASSWORD=N'SF#$%GD%^J675JFS4fds' 
    MUST_CHANGE, 
    DEFAULT_DATABASE=[master], 
    CHECK_EXPIRATION=ON, 
    CHECK_POLICY=ON
GO

ALTER SERVER ROLE [sysadmin] ADD MEMBER [Test]
GO

USE [master]
GO

CREATE USER [Test] FOR LOGIN [Test]
GO

USE [master]
GO

ALTER ROLE [db_securityadmin] ADD MEMBER [Test]
GO

When I try to connect via the Test login, I receive the error message that

Login failed for user 'Test'

Connect as new Test Login

Answer

Shaun Luttin picture Shaun Luttin · Apr 17, 2015

I needed to configure the server for SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode.

  1. Open SSMS.
  2. Connect to the server via Windows Authentication.
  3. Right click the server and choose Properties.
  4. Change to "SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode"

SQL Server and Windows Authentication Mode

See also: http://www.microsoft.com/products/ee/transform.aspx?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&EvtSrc=MSSQLServer&EvtID=18456