Unlocking a SQL Server login without resetting the password

By Steve Endow

I had a call with a consultant who was having trouble unlocking a SQL Server login.  While trying to login to GP Utilities with the sa login, he used the wrong password and ended up locking out sa.

Not a big deal, but when he went into SQL Sesrver Management Studio to unlock the sa account, he received this message:

"Reset password for the login while unlocking"

I never use the SQL password policy option on my development SQL servers, so I never lock out accounts, but apparently SQL Server requires that you reset the password in order to unlock the account.

A quick search returned this helpful workaround on MSSQLTips.com:  If you uncheck the Enforce password policy option and save the login, it will disable the account lockout.  He tried unchecking the Enforce password policy checkbox, and was able to login to GP Utilities just fine.  He then went back and re-checked the Enforce password policy box.

I don't understand why the password policy option and account lockout option are linked like that, but I learned something new today.

Steve Endow is a Microsoft MVP for Dynamics GP and a Dynamics GP Certified IT Professional in Los Angeles.  He is the owner of Precipio Services, which provides Dynamics GP integrations, customizations, and automation solutions.

You can also find him on Google+ and Twitter

http://www.precipioservices.com