How to unlock a user account in SQL Server 2005 Management Studio?

Question

One username tried login many times and failed. Sql Server 2005 locked the account automatically. How can I unlock a user account in SQL Server 2005 Management Studio?

Answer 1

Error through SSMS in SQL 2005. Only SQL 2008

I assume you know the password or can reset it. From BOL, ALTER LOGIN

ALTER LOGIN foo WITH PASSWORD = '<enterStrongPasswordHere>' UNLOCK

Answer 2

Tip / workaround from http://www.sqldbadiaries.com/2010/07/21/unlock-sql-user-without-changing-the-password/#ixzz2OBIJCsqv

ALTER LOGIN sqluser WITH CHECK_POLICY = OFF;
ALTER LOGIN sqluser WITH CHECK_POLICY = ON;
GO

Answer 3

Open Server Management Studio, connect to the server, and go to the Security → Logins item in Object Explorer. Select the login that is blocked and double-click it. The status page should allow you to re-enable the login (uncheck the box "Login blocked").

Answer 4

In my 2005 instance using the GUI, Management Studio did not work, but TSQL instructions did the trick perfectly.