SQL Server LocalDB Instance; error restoring backup (MasterDBPath not available)

I have SQL Server 2012 Local DB Installed, and am connecting to it via (localdb)\v11.0.

When trying to restore a backup file, I get:

TITLE: Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio


Property MasterDBPath is not available for Information
'Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Information'. This property may
not exist for this object, or may not be retrievable due to
insufficient access rights. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)


For help, click:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=11.0.2100.60+((SQL11_RTM).120210-1846+)&EvtSrc=Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.ExceptionTemplates.PropertyCannotBeRetrievedExceptionText&EvtID=MasterDBPath&LinkId=20476

I have tried setting MasterDBPath string value in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11E.LOCALDB\MSSQLServer\CurrentVersion`

but this hasn't helped.

Anyone have any thoughts?

I had the same problem, and solved it.

You need to add 2 strings in the Windows Registry via regedit.exe at
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11E.LOCALDB\MSSQLServer:

DefaultData
DefaultLog

For me, their values are both C:\Users\neil\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Microsoft SQL Server Local DB\Instances\v11.0.

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#23609, answer score: 16