When a CREATE DATABASE statement is issued, the first part of the database is created by copying in the contents of the model database. The rest of the new database is then filled with empty pages.

If you modify the model database, all databases created afterward will inherit those changes. For example, you could set permissions or database options, or add objects such as tables, functions, or stored procedures.

The following table lists initial configuration values of the model data and log files. The sizes of these files can vary slightly for different editions of SQL Server.

To move the model database or log files, see Moving System Databases.

Database Options

The following operations cannot be performed on the model database:

• Adding files or filegroups.
  
• Changing collation. The default collation is the server collation.
  
• Changing the database owner. model is owned by dbo.
  
• Dropping the database.
  
• Dropping the guest user from the database.
  
• Enabling change data capture.
  
• Participating in database mirroring.
  
• Removing the primary filegroup, primary data file, or log file.
  
• Renaming the database or primary filegroup.
  
• Setting the database to OFFLINE.
  
• Setting the database or primary filegroup to READ_ONLY.
  
• Creating procedures, views, or triggers using the WITH ENCRYPTION option. The encryption key is tied to the database in which the object is created. Encrypted objects created in the model database can only be used in model.
  

Concepts

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