Where does SQL Server 2005 keep the .mdf files?

Question

I'm upgrading from SQL Server 2005 to 2008. I've detached the database I need, but can't find it on the file system.

Where does a default installation of SQL Server 2005 store these?

Answer 1

You can also use management studio to look at the properties>files of any database - that will show the files and their growth settings.

Answer 2

try this, run this query

use model
go
SELECT physical_name FROM sys.database_files

in my case on my laptop it is in this folder

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\