Creating a SQL Server 2008 Database Account

This article explains how to add users to SQL Server 2008 using two methods: Windows authentication and SQL Server authentication.

How to Add a Database Account

SQL Server 2008 provides two methods for creating database user accounts: Windows authentication and SQL Server authentication. In Windows authentication mode, you assign all database permissions to Windows accounts. This has the advantage of providing a single sign-on experience for users and simplifying security management. In SQL Server (mixed mode) authentication, you can still assign rights to Windows users, but you can also create accounts that exist only in the context of the database server.

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio.

2. Connect to the SQL Server database where you want to create a login.

3. Open the Security folder.

4. Right-click on the Logins folder and select ​New Login.

5. If you want to assign rights to a Windows account, select Windows authentication. If you want to create an account that exists only in the database, select SQL Server authentication.

6. Provide the login name in the text box. You can use the Browse button to select an existing account if you chose Windows authentication.

7. If you chose SQL Server authentication, you must also provide a strong password in both the Password and Confirmation text boxes.

8. Customize the default database and language for the account, if desired, using the drop-down boxes at the bottom of the window.

9. Click OK to create the account.