Attach sql server 2012 error, Unable to open the physical file

Question

I got message box

Unable to open the physical file "C:\Project Basdat\DAYCARE.mdf". Operating system error 5: "5(failed to retrieve text for this error. Reason: 15105)". (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5120)

when trying to attach database file that I made from another pc.

I use Windows 10.

Help :(

Error 5 is access denied, either put the database files in the SQL server data folder that was defined during setup or add permissions on that new folder to allow the service account access to it. — steoleary, May 25 '16 at 09:29
Possible duplicate of [SQL Server Operating system error 5: "5(Access is denied.)"](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/18286765/sql-server-operating-system-error-5-5access-is-denied) — Andre Figueiredo, Mar 21 '18 at 21:15

BytesOfMetal · Accepted Answer · 2021-02-15T11:05:13.977

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The link I posted previously is broken so I removed it. If you run SQL Server Management Studio as administrator it should work just fine.

edited Feb 15 '21 at 11:05

answered May 25 '16 at 09:24

BytesOfMetal

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From the link is the answer: "...running the Management Studio Instance as an administrator" – Reid Nov 02 '17 at 17:02
Thanks to @Reid for the quick help as opposed to the condescending answer from @Petaflop! – hurleystylee Dec 18 '17 at 15:31
@hurleystylee updated the answer, thanks for your straightforward comment – BytesOfMetal Dec 18 '17 at 16:49
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@Petaflop don't you agree? Could have done without the "If you google for 2 minutes" part. People come here as part of their first 2 minutes of googling. – hurleystylee Dec 18 '17 at 17:18
@hurleystylee I think that pointing out these things is sometimes part of learning, but that would be an extended discussion this place is not for. – BytesOfMetal Dec 18 '17 at 21:26
@Petaflop -1 for the 2 minutes comment. Unnecessary. – johnny Jun 19 '18 at 13:41
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Good answer, the first link I clicked in Google;), less than 10 sec as opposed to 2 min:) – Mohsen Sichani Aug 22 '18 at 23:01

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered May 25 '16 at 09:26

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This is permission issue on folder.

GO to the folder where you have stored mdf file. select file-> Right click -> click on . give full permissions to file for logged in user Security and (NT Service\MSSQLSERVER).

answered May 25 '16 at 09:26

sandeep rawat

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This is correct assuming you are using the default built in accounts for SQL server, if you have used a different service account, you need to add folder permissions that reflect this. – steoleary May 25 '16 at 09:27

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Apr 23 '19 at 13:10

When I faced this issue, I tried

Running SQL Management Studio as Administrator
Giving full permissions to the file for logged in user

Still the error persisted. The reason for this error might be that you copied your program from a source which Windows considers non-trusted.

You can unblock the assembly by clicking "Unblock" after you right-click and select properties on the file.

Attach sql server 2012 error, Unable to open the physical file

3 Answers3