How do I move SQL Server database files?

I have a database and want to move the .mdf and .ldf files to another location. But I do not want to stop the MSSQLSERVER service, and I do not want to export to another server.

How can I do this?

You don't have to stop the SQL Server service to move database files, but you do have to take the specific database offline. This is because you can't move files while they're being accessed and taking the database offline stops the files from being used by the SQL Server application.

The process to move them is fairly simple. Detach/Attach was already described, but it is not nearly this complex.

Change the file locations with an ALTER DATABASE command:

USE master; --do this all from the master
ALTER DATABASE foo MODIFY FILE (name='DB_Data1',filename='X:\NewDBFile\DB_Data1.mdf'); --Filename is new location
ALTER DATABASE foo MODIFY FILE (name='DB_Data1_log',filename='X:\NewDBFile\DB_Data1_log.ldf');

Note, you do not need to declare the old location in this command. Changing this path does not take effect immediately, but will be used the next time the database starts up.

Set the database offline

(I use WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE to kick everyone out and rollback all currently open transactions)

ALTER DATABASE foo SET OFFLINE WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE;

Move/Copy the files to the new location

Just copy the files over using your favorite method (Click 'n Drag, XCopy, Copy-Item, Robocopy)

Bring the database online

ALTER DATABASE foo SET ONLINE;

You can see this described in more detail here.

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#52007, answer score: 205