Starting SQL Server with Minimal Configuration

If you need to correct configuration problems that prevent the server from starting, you can start Microsoft® SQL Server™ using the minimal configuration startup option. This is the startup option -f. Starting SQL Server with minimal configuration places the server in single-user mode automatically.

When you start SQL Server in minimal configuration mode:

• Temporary changes to memory usage are made. The options user connections, open databases, locks, open objects, language in cache, max async, and asynchronous I/O are all set to the minimum values shown by sp_configure. The procedure cache is set to 50 percent, with minimal total procedure and buffer cache.
• SQL Server starts in single-user mode. Only a single user can connect, and the CHECKPOINT process is not executed.
• Remote access and read-ahead are disabled.
• Startup stored procedures are not run.
• The sp_configure stored procedure allow updates option is enabled. By default, the allow updates option is disabled.

After the server has been started with minimal configuration, you should change the appropriate server option value or values, stop, and then restart the server.

Important Stop the SQLServerAgent service before connecting to SQL Server in minimal configuration mode. Otherwise, the SQLServerAgent service uses the connection and blocks your connection to SQL Server.

To start SQL Server with minimal configuration

See Also