CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sqlsql-server
Carle one
Carle one

Reputation: 11

What is the purpose of MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS and SQLTELEMETRY$SQLEXPRESS folders in SQL Server 17.9

Anybody knows why I have MSSQL$SQLEXPRESS and SQLTELEMETRY$SQLEXPRESS folders in location C:\Windows\Users after installing SQL Server 17.9?

Is it a problem to delete both of them?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 13419

Answers (1)

undrline - Reinstate Monica
undrline - Reinstate Monica

Reputation: 576

They are Service Accounts. They are essentially fake users that get their own user profile directories, which is why they exist in the User directory. You should keep them there (intact) if you plan on continuing to use SQL Server.

In my case, I was trying to migrate user profiles from an SSD to an SSHD data drive, leaving behind a Directory Junction/Symbolic Link. I found it incredibly frustrating that even after uninstalling all SQL Server stuff, these guys remained behind. That is a legitimate reason to get rid of them. You don't have to have mental issues to not want uninstall residue left over. And, I think it's okay to be concerned about potential conflicts down the road, and not wanting to assume that a reinstall will somehow catch it.

Here is how to remove them. (Again, only if not using SQL Server at all):

• Remove the services in a cmd window:

sc delete MSSQL$SQLExpress
sc delete SQLTELEMETRY$SQLEXPRESS

then

• Open services.msc and Stop the services (I can't remember what they're called, but they both start with SQL and have SQLEXPRESS in their name)

then

• Delete the directories. If doing it from a cmd window:

rd "c:\users\MSSQL$SQLExpress\" /s/q
rd "c:\users\SQLTELEMETRY$SQLEXPRESS\" /s/q

Upvotes: 2

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