Installing ASP.NET Membership services database in SQL Server 2008

I use the ASP.NET Membership provider in many projects. It’s simple to use, is quite extensive in its later versions and is more maintainable by other .NET developers than a custom solution.

However, the projects I use them for require a full SQL Server database and not the SQL Express implementation that it comes with out of the box.  I tend to forget where the Membership SQL Server set up wizard is.  So here are the 5 steps you need to add membership to a SQL Server database:

1. Run “C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regsql.exe”
2. Select “Configure SQL Server for application services” and “Next”
3. Enter the credentials to access the database you want to modify. Don’t forget to select your database to alter. Click “Next”.
4. Review your settings, click “Next” if they’re correct.
5. The wizard now added the appropriate Membership tables and objects to your database. Click “Finish” and you’re done.

More reading:

• Creating the Membership Schema in SQL Server
• Installing ASP.NET Membership services database in SQL Server Express 2008 – Sukumar Rajus Blog.