Start/ Stop SQL Express with .bat

[agibsonsw]

On previous laptops I was able to use the following batch file to start and stop SQL Server Express:

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NET START "SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)"||NET STOP "SQL Server (SQLEXPRESS)"

It doesn't work on my Windows 8 laptop with an error of Access Denied.

When I start the Server Manager I have a UAC message to confirm, so I turned off UAC temporarily but my batch-file still gave the same error.

Do you think I need a Firewall setting, or is there some property of the Server that I should be setting? Or other cause?

[HansV]

Try creating a shortcut to the batch file.
Right-click the shortcut and select Properties from the context menu.
Activate the Shortcut tab.
Click Advanced...
Tick the check box "Run as administrator".
Use the shortcut to run the batch file.
Does that work for you?

[agibsonsw]

Cool, fab!

All I need to find now is a way to toggle the shortcut icon hint, hint ;)

[HansV]

To change a shortcut's icon using VBScript: How Can I Change the Icon for an Existing Shortcut?

[agibsonsw]

Thanks Hans.

I'll have to investigate a little further though as I will be putting the shortcut in the notification area. (I'll also have to translate my .bat code to VBS, unless I execute the VBS from the bat.)

I'm sure you can tell where I'm trying to get to ;) I want a red circle in the notification area, that goes green when I click it and start the server. [I might also attempt to hide the console window.. think this might involve > NUL, or sumfink. Added: Actually, this is probably not possible and I'll probably just let it flash open and closed - if it goes green then the server has started.]

I'll report back if I make progress

I'll just note this here, as I might need it later ;)

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%windir%\System32\cmd.exe /C "Drive:\Folder\Your batchfile.bat"

[HansV]

I'm not an expert on this, but I suspect that you'd have to create a compiled application (.exe) in one of the .NET environments for that.