How to: Specify the Default Snapshot Location (SQL Server Management Studio)

Specify the default snapshot location on the Snapshot Folder page of the Configure Distribution Wizard. For more information about using this wizard, see How to: Configure Distribution (SQL Server Management Studio). If you create a publication on a server that is not configured as a Distributor, specify a default snapshot location on the Snapshot Folder page of the New Publication Wizard. For more information about using this wizard, see How to: Create a Publication and Define Articles (SQL Server Management Studio).

Modify the default snapshot location on the Publishers page of the Distributor Properties - <Distributor> dialog box. For more information, see How to: View and Modify Distributor Properties (SQL Server Management Studio). Set the snapshot folder for each publication in the Publication Properties - <Publication> dialog box. For more information, see How to: View and Modify Publication and Article Properties (SQL Server Management Studio).

To modify the default snapshot location

On the Publishers page of the Distributor Properties - <Distributor> dialog box, click the properties button (…) for the Publisher for which you want to change the default snapshot location.
In the Publisher Properties - <Publisher> dialog box, enter a value for the Default Snapshot Folder property.

Note

The Snapshot Agent must have write permissions for the directory you specify, and the Distribution Agent or Merge Agent must have read permissions. If pull subscriptions are used, you must specify a shared directory as a universal naming convention (UNC) path, such as \computername\snapshot. For more information, see Securing the Snapshot Folder.
Click OK.