How can I change my default database in SQL Server without using MS SQL Server Management Studio?

Question

What you can do is set your default database using the sp_defaultdb system stored procedure. Log in as you have done and then click the New Query button. After that simply run the sp_defaultdb command as follows:

Exec sp_defaultdb @loginame='login', @defdb='master' 

Alternative to sp_defaultdb (which will be removed in a future version of Microsoft SQL Server) could be ALTER LOGIN:

ALTER LOGIN [my_user_name] WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE = [new_default_database]

Note: user and database names are provided without quotes (unlike the sp_defaultdb solution). Brackets are needed if name had special chars (most common example will be domain user which is domain\username and won't work without brackets):

ALTER LOGIN me WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE = my_database

but

ALTER LOGIN [EVILCORP\j.smith28] WITH DEFAULT_DATABASE = [prod\v-45]

To do it the GUI way, you need to go edit your login. One of its properties is the default database used for that login. You can find the list of logins under the Logins node under the Security node. Then select your login and right-click and pick Properties. Change the default database and your life will be better!

Note that someone with sysadmin privs needs to be able to login to do this or to run the query from the previous post.

Thanks to this post, I found an easier answer:

1. Open Sql Server Management Studio

2. Go to object Explorer -> Security -> Logins

3. Right click on the login and select properties

4. And in the properties window change the default database and click OK.

If you don't have permissions to change your default DB you could manually select a different DB at the top of your queries...

USE [SomeOtherDb]
SELECT 'I am now using a different DB'

Will work as long as you have permission to the other DB

1. Click on Change Connection icon
2. Click Options<<
3. Select the db from Connect to database drop down

I'll also prefer ALTER LOGIN Command as in accepted answer and described here

But for GUI lover

1. Go to [SERVER INSTANCE] --> Security --> Logins --> [YOUR LOGIN]
2. Right Click on [YOUR LOGIN]
3. Update the Default Database Option at the bottom of the page

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