How to: Set the Service Startup Account for SQL Server Agent (SQL Server Configuration Manager)

This topic describes how to set the SQL Server Agent service account with SQL Server Configuration Manager. The SQL Server Agent service startup account defines the Microsoft Windows account that SQL Server Agent runs as, as well as its network permissions. To launch SQL Server Configuration Manager, in SQL Server Management Studio, right-click an instance of SQL Server in Registered Servers, and then click SQL Server Configuration Manager.

Note

In SQL Server 2005, SQL Server Agent no longer requires that the service startup account be a member of the Microsoft Administrators group. However, there are some restrictions associated with using a non-administrative account for the SQL Server Agent service. For more information, see Service Account Types Supported for SQL Server Agent. The SQL Server Agent service startup account must be a member of the SQL Server sysadmin fixed server role, and if multiserver job processing is used, the account must also be a member of the msdb database role TargetServersRole on the master server.

To set the service startup account for SQL Server Agent

1. On the Start menu, point to All Programs, point to Microsoft SQL Server 2005, point to Configuration Tools, and then click SQL Server Configuration Manager.

2. In SQL Server Configuration Manager, click SQL Server 2005 Services.

3. In the details pane, right-click the name of the SQL Server Agent instance for which you want to change the service startup account, and click Properties.

4. In the SQL Server Agent <instancename> Properties dialog box, click the Log On tab, and select one of the following Log on as account types:

   • Select a Windows Built-in account if your jobs require resources from the local server only. For information about choosing a Windows built-in account type, see Selecting an Account for the SQL Server Agent Service.

   Important

   Do not select the Local Service account. The SQL Server Agent service cannot be run under this account. It is not supported.

   • Select This account if your jobs require resources across the network, including application resources; if you want to forward events to other Windows application logs; or if you want to notify operators through e-mail or pagers.

5. If you selected This account, enter the Microsoft Windows account name that SQL Server Agent will use in the Account Name box, enter the password for this account in the Password box, and then re-enter it in the Confirm password box. Click Browse to search for a user or group.

   You must restart SQL Server Agent before these configuration changes take effect.

See Also

Other Resources

Managing Services Using SQL Server Configuration Manager
Setting Up Windows Service Accounts

Help and Information

Getting SQL Server 2005 Assistance