Login name

Type or select the SQL Server login name. The name can be a Windows user name or a Windows group name, of the form <DOMAIN>\<Name>. Click the Search button next to the login name to open a dialog for finding a Windows user.

Search

Opens the Select User or Group dialog box so you can search for a login.

Windows authentication

Use Windows Integrated Security for the login. Windows Authentication is more secure than SQL Server Authentication. Logins that use Windows Authentication are also easier to manage than SQL Server logins. Select Windows Authentication unless you are sure SQL Server Authentication is required. If you are editing an existing login, this option cannot be altered.

SQL Server authentication

Use SQL Server authentication for the login. SQL Server Authentication uses passwords stored in the database. If you are editing an existing login, this option cannot be altered. You can select SQL Server Authentication only if SQL Server Authentication has been enabled on the server. If you are creating a new login, clicking this option activates the options below it.

Password

Specify a strong SQL Server login password. Blank passwords are not allowed. For more information, see Strong Passwords.

Confirm password

Retype the password exactly as entered in the Password box.

Enforce password policy

Password policy will be enforced for this login. This is the default setting when you choose SQL Server Authentication. For more information, see Password Policy.

Caution:
Turning off this option may result in a security risk.

Enforce password expiration

Password expiration policy will be enforced for this login. Enforce password policy must be selected to enable this checkbox.

User must change password at next login

SQL Server will prompt the user for a new password the first time the new login is used.

Mapped to certificate

Indicates that this login is associated with a certificate. Use the CREATE LOGIN statement to create a login mapped to a certificate.

Certificate name

The name of the associated certificate.

Mapped to asymmetric key

Indicates that this login is associated with an asymmetric key. Use the CREATE LOGIN statement to create a login mapped to an asymmetric key.

Key name

The name of the associated asymmetric key.

Mapped to Credential

Indicates that this login is associated with a credential. For more information, see Credentials (Database Engine).

Credential Name

Sets and displays the list of credentials and their associated providers for the login.

Default database

Select a default database for the login from the list.

Default language

Select a default language for the login from the list.

To use the sa login you must enable SQL Server Authentication, and you might have to enable the sa login on the Login Properties (Status Page) and create a password for the sa login on this page. For more information, see How to: Change Server Authentication Mode.

Other Resources

Help and Information