SSMS can't "see" mdf file so can't attach it

Question

User224181609 posted

I have Management Studio installed, and trying to attach to it an mdf file on my computer.

When I try to browse to the mdf file to attach it, SSMS studion does not see the file, so I cant attach it.

Here is what the actual file tree structure is on my C: drive:

And here is the file structure I see when trying to browse from SSMS to find the file, which is in a sub-sub folder of Clarks but does not show:

So to the question: How can I attach the file if I cant browse to it?  I also tried typing the path in the database file location box at the top, but the OK button was grayed out so I could not do that either.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there some SSMS setting or authorization or the like that I have missed?

Answer 1

User465171450 posted

Try moving it out of your user directory. I think it's a permissions issue as it should be displaying a + sign next to the directory also since there are sub-directories. Usually a create a directory just for my databases as they can be fussy at times and may have special requirements (such as cannot be in a directory that is compressed). If you have the directory marked as shared that could be the reason but it's definitely something with the directory permissions or settings.

Answer 2

User224181609 posted

Thank you for the response.

I moved the website into a folder on C: and then I could see it with SSMS.  I could not attach the file until I discovered that I had to right-click on SSMS and Run as Administator. Upon doing that, life is good. Problem solved.