INF: Default Data and Log Directory Display Blank by Default After You Install SQL Server 2000

After you install SQL Server 2000, when you open the SQL Server Properties dialog box by right-clicking the server name in Enterprise Manager, under the Database Settings tab, the path for Default data directory and Default Log directory are blank.

By default, the paths for both database default locations, that is, data and log, are blank. They are blank because the registry keys for the defaults are not present during setup. If the paths are blank, a CREATE DATABASE statement uses the \Mssql\Data directory (on the drive on which SQL Server was installed) as the default location for the data and log files. After you enter the default data and log directory information in this screen, the relevant registry keys are created, and the CREATE DATABASE statement then uses the default directories specified.

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.


The information for the default directory locations are stored in the following registry keys:

Default Instance




Named Instance