Delete Database in MS SQL Server
Last Updated :
15 Jul, 2025
Prerequisite –
Introduction of MS SQL Server and
Create Database in MS SQL Server
System databases can't be deleted, only user databases could be deleted. Data and log files will automatically be deleted from disk with database deletion.
To
delete a database, the below methods could be used –
- SQL Server Management Studio.
- Transact-SQL.
These are explained as following below.
1. Using SQL Server Management Studio :
To delete a database, connect to an instance of the SQL Server, and then expand that instance.

Expand
Databases, select the database which need to be deleted.

Right-click the database which need to be deleted, and then click
Delete.

Check delete backup and restore history or close existing connections if required and then click
OK.
2. Using Transact-SQL :
To execute DROP DATABASE statement a user must have CONTROL permission on the database.
- To delete a database :
USE master ;
GO
DROP DATABASE Databasename;
GO
- To delete multiple databases :
USE master ;
GO
DROP DATABASE database1, database2, ...;
GO
Example :
Let us assume we have created a database "Geekstest" which is no longer required, to delete database :
USE master ;
GO
DROP DATABASE Geekstest;
GO
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