March 15, 2012 by Pinal Dave

SQL SERVER – Install Samples Database Adventure Works for SQL Server 2012

AdventureWorks is a Sample Database shipped with SQL Server and it can be downloaded from CodePlex site. AdventureWorks has replaced Northwind and Pubs from the sample database in SQL Server 2005.The Microsoft team keeps updating the sample database as they release new versions.

For SQL Server 2012 RTM Samples AdventureWorks Database is released:

You can download either of the datafile and create database using the same. Here is the script which demonstrates how to create sample database in SQL Server 2012.

CREATE DATABASE AdventureWorks2012 ON (FILENAME = 'D:\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf') FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG ;

Please specify your filepath in the filename variable. Here is the link for additional downloads.

Watch a quick video on the same subject.

Reference: Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com)

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69 thoughts on “SQL SERVER – Install Samples Database Adventure Works for SQL Server 2012”

SM | March 15, 2012 at 12:19 pm

Hi Pinal,

While trying to attach the file..getting some error…!
I am using CTP3.

CREATE DATABASE AdventureWorks2012
ON (FILENAME = ‘D:\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf’)
FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG ;

Can you please suggest how to fix this issue?

Reply
Fearless | March 16, 2012 at 12:16 am

Hey Pinal,
Great blog duuuude..How about that picture on the banner..eh?
Can you change it to a recent one from facebook?

Reply
SM | March 16, 2012 at 12:22 am

Any advise to my issue ?

Reply
dee | March 18, 2012 at 3:34 am

i’m having difficulty with the path, it’s telling me access denied

Msg 5133, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
Directory lookup for the file “C:\Users\Deejay\Downloads\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf” failed with the operating system error 5(Access is denied.).

Reply
- Tresor | July 6, 2012 at 7:05 pm
  
  As a few other users have said…. (1) copy the .mdf data file to C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA ……. note that I am running the Express edition on my PC
  (2) You have to run sql management studio as Administrator. Right click SSMS and select ‘Run as Administrator’
  (3) Open a new query and Use Pinal’s script specifying the “FileName” as your full location path…..in step 1 above
  (4) You will get a message as the following but the database will have been created at this point so you don’t need to worry…..File activation failure. The physical file name “C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks2012_Log.ldf” may be incorrect.
  New log file ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks2012_Data_log.ldf’ was created.
  Converting database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ from version 705 to the current version 706.
  Database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ running the upgrade step from version 705 to version 706.
  
  I hope this helps you.
  
  Reply
  - kan | August 20, 2012 at 11:11 pm
    
    This helped me too.
    
    Thanks a lot.
    
    Reply
    - Apr | October 5, 2012 at 10:35 pm
      
      This helped too…
      
      Thanks
      
      Reply
    - Napo | April 27, 2013 at 2:22 am
      
      Make sure that if u running SQL Server Service under NT Service\MSSQLSERVER, that same user has access to the folder where your .mdf files are.
      
      Reply
  - Diego | September 6, 2012 at 5:26 am
    
    Works for me. Thanks a lot!!! Funcionó de 10!! Muchas Gracias!!!
    
    Reply
  - lokesh | March 27, 2013 at 9:53 am
    
    Thanks alot Tresor.. you saved my day..
    
    Reply
  - Amir | April 26, 2013 at 7:58 pm
    
    Thanks a lot!!!!
    
    Reply
  - Mukul | April 30, 2013 at 6:15 pm
    
    Thanks Tresor..It worked!!
    :)
    
    Reply
Damodar Karmacharya | March 26, 2012 at 6:33 am

Hi dee,

You have to run sql management studio as Administrator.

Best Regards,
Damodar

Reply
- Tim Raczek | June 5, 2013 at 8:30 am
  
  Thank you, Damodar. Solved my problem here.
  
  Reply
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ashchuan | April 12, 2012 at 7:10 pm

The script worked for me. Although I got the following message:

Converting database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ from version 705 to the current version 706.
Database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ running the upgrade step from version 705 to version 706.

Reply
Dilshan | April 15, 2012 at 2:42 am

Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Msg 948, Level 20, State 1, Line 1
The database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ cannot be opened because it is version 705. This server supports version 655 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

– i have SQL server 2012 express. I get teh same error when i try to attach it from the UI.

Reply
Duncan Lawrence | April 18, 2012 at 12:15 pm

I Get the same Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Msg 948, Level 20, State 1, Line 1
The database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ cannot be opened because it is version 705. This server supports version 663 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

Reply
Mohandas Pk | April 18, 2012 at 6:13 pm

i’m having difficulty with the Access, it’s telling me access denied
Run sql management studio as Administrator. But no use.
Msg 5120, Level 16, State 101, Line 4
Unable to open the physical file “C:\DB\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf”. Operating system error 5: “5(Access is denied.)”.

Reply
- Vivek | April 30, 2012 at 7:58 pm
  
  Same issue with me
  
  Reply
saxenapraveen | April 28, 2012 at 12:45 pm

like always it was exactly what i needed. thanks!

Reply
Peizhen | May 3, 2012 at 12:24 am

I worked for me, just need to copy the data file to the data path (C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA) and run the Management Studio as Administrator.

Reply
Lee McIntosh (@lee_mcintosh) | May 4, 2012 at 6:34 pm

For those having Access is Denied issues try the following:

Right click the mdf file > Security > Edit > Owner Rights: Full Control > Apply > OK > Apply > OK.

Reply
wantknow | May 18, 2012 at 9:30 am

Anybody face this error ?
—————
Could not continue scan with NOLOCK due to data movement.
Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted. (Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 601)
————-
(Already build ldf)

Reply
- madhivanan | May 23, 2012 at 3:51 pm
  
  I think it is due to either your database is offline, or the server connectivity got down
  
  Reply
Elwood | June 4, 2012 at 6:57 pm

The AdventureWorks database simply does not work! Using full admin permissions doesn’t work either. It was simply shipped “f’d” up!

Reply
Subhobrata | June 6, 2012 at 11:30 pm

Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Msg 948, Level 20, State 1, Line 1
The database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ cannot be opened because it is version 705. This server supports version 655 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

Reply
- Dive | June 10, 2012 at 3:10 am
  
  I faced the same issue but i had not installed 2012 RTM.
  
  –>First make sure that you have installed sql server 2012 RTM.
  –>Then, Like peizhen said just copy the AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf to (C:\ProgramFiles\MicrosoftSQLServer\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA) and run the Management Studio as Administrator.
  
  Hope this helps…
  
  Reply
- madhivanan | June 18, 2012 at 4:42 pm
  
  It means you are trying to restore the database with higher version to the lower versioned server
  
  Reply
Subhobrata | June 6, 2012 at 11:30 pm

Please help with this error!

Reply
Sonny | June 7, 2012 at 7:45 am

Thanks for this blog entry Pinal. It was a big help!

Reply
sundeep | June 12, 2012 at 10:33 am

hello sir, i am a beginner for sql server…please tell me from where i can learn it and which platform will be better to learn it. please guide me …thank you

Reply
TSOU | June 19, 2012 at 11:37 pm

If you’re using sqlserver 2008r2 download the 2008R2 compatible file instead ==> http://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/59211

Reply
Luis.ksu | July 10, 2012 at 3:15 am

I am using MS SQL Server 2012 Express and this work. Just make sure you put the right path, the file in the right folder and in the right instance if you have several instances. In addition, run the database as Administrator.

Reply
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Chengeesh | August 20, 2012 at 3:39 am

It works……..Thanks

Reply
Cesar | August 21, 2012 at 10:57 am

Thank you! Newbie to sql.

Reply
Mindy | August 24, 2012 at 6:48 am

Awesome Blog!!! I was having the hardest time! Thank you!!!

Reply
Rad | August 27, 2012 at 6:28 am

it works… if you have access issue… you need to copy the database to data folder….. Thanks.

Reply
aitchk | September 13, 2012 at 7:01 pm

Anyone tried installing SQL Server 2008 or 2012 Enterprise trial onto Windows 7 Home Premium? I see no documentation that it is supported or not supported, but having many problems.

Reply
aitchk | September 13, 2012 at 7:08 pm

guys, actually I’m having trouble attaching the 2012 databases using the above create/attach script. Anyone tried on a Windows 7 Home Premium OS?

Reply
aitchk | September 13, 2012 at 9:56 pm

I made sure to install every available feature of SQL Server 2012, downloaded the AdventureWorks 2012 database to C: , opened SQL Server Studio as Administrator, and ran create/attach script. I keep getting File activation failure. The physical file name “C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks2012_Log.ldf” may be incorrect.
Msg 5123, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
CREATE FILE encountered operating system error 5(Access is denied.) while attempting to open or create the physical file ‘C:\AdventureWorks2012_log.ldf’.
Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Based on Pinal’s example, the .mdf file doesn’t need to be in any specific folder, as long as I use the correct path in the create/attach script.
Please, any advice?

Reply
aitchk | September 13, 2012 at 10:40 pm

I also have a copy of this .mdf file in my Downloads folder. If I run this:
CREATE DATABASE AdventureWorks2012
ON (FILENAME = ‘C:\Users\Aitch\Downloads\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf’)
FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG ;

I get the following error:
Msg 5133, Level 16, State 1, Line 1
Directory lookup for the file “C:\Users\Aitch\Downloads\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf” failed with the operating system error 5(Access is denied.).

Reply
Paul | September 25, 2012 at 4:27 pm

I keep gettin this error …. Tried all sorts of things, none worked.

Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Msg 948, Level 20, State 1, Line 1
The database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ cannot be opened because it is version 706. This server supports version 655 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

Reply
sawsan | October 18, 2012 at 5:05 am

Msg 5120, Level 16, State 101, Line 1
Unable to open the physical file “c:\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf”. Operating system error 2: “2(The system cannot find the file specified.)”.

I have this Error the file in c

Reply
- HydTechie (@HydTechie) | February 3, 2013 at 4:55 pm
  
  I am also getting this error[Msg 5120, Level 16, State 101, Line 1
  Unable to open the physical file “c:\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf”. Operating system error 2: “2(The system cannot find the file specified.)”.], can somebody help us out here??
  
  1. made sure admin and logon user has full control on directory, Tried from custom folder and also from C:\ SQL path
  2. Try to attach through IDE, same error..
  
  thanks in advance,
  HydTechie
  
  Reply
Rami El-Chafei (@rchafei) | October 24, 2012 at 9:28 pm

running the SQL management console as “administrator’ fixed the Operating system error 5: “5(Access is denied.)” issue .. Thank you all

Reply
nimesh | November 5, 2012 at 10:43 pm

Worked for me. Excellent. I ran SSMS aas administrator.

Reply
Stone | November 23, 2012 at 9:52 am

Nice post.It works well.thanks.

Reply
Khan | December 6, 2012 at 9:20 am

this isn’t working…help

while (dataReader.Read())
{
int departmentId = dataReader.GetInt32(0);
string Name = dataReader.GetString(1);
string GroupName = dataReader.GetString(2);
Console.WriteLine(
“DepartmentID: {0}\nID: {1}\n{2}\n”, Name, GroupName);
}

Reply
SHanthi | December 16, 2012 at 5:50 pm

Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 2
Could not open new database ‘MyAdventureWorks’. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Msg 948, Level 20, State 1, Line 2
The database ‘MyAdventureWorks’ cannot be opened because it is version 661. This server supports version 655 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

Reply
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J.M.-Schubert | January 6, 2013 at 12:30 am

Now you have help me again,again and again on so many questions about SQL-Server. Now and here a gread THANKS!!!!!! for your work. J.M.-S.

Reply
lesacbanane | January 27, 2013 at 2:54 am

What a great post, thanks Pinal

Reply
Charlotte | February 10, 2013 at 12:20 pm

I copied file path of exact location of .mdf folder, Operating System error 2?
Can you please explain.

Thanks
Chalrotte

Msg 5120, Level 16, State 101, Line 1
Unable to open the physical file “C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\SQLDATA\AdventureWorks2012_Data.mdf”. Operating system error 2: “2(The system cannot find the file specified.)”.

Reply
- madhivanan | February 13, 2013 at 1:34 pm
  
  Make sure you have all needed permission or the file actually exist
  
  Reply
Shan | February 27, 2013 at 6:59 am

Hi Pinal Dave,
You are rocking… Ur blogs help me to resolve so many work place issues. Great. I have a query regarding Adventure works project. Does it comes with UI ? I mean front end as well ? I need a sample application which uses MS SQL to understand. Any pointers to this is really appreciated.

Thanks again for great blogs :)

Reply
Sherif Shousha | March 5, 2013 at 12:11 am

Just add full permission to your domain account on the directory where the MDF file exists

Reply
Bayprince | March 16, 2013 at 1:40 am

I’m getting an incorrect syntax error on ‘FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG’;
It states it’s expecting an ‘ID’. What ID ?

Help! I’m a REAL novice at this.

Reply
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laranto | March 16, 2013 at 10:21 pm

Thank you very much for you instruction :)

Reply
Brian | March 23, 2013 at 1:40 pm

Thank you very much for this extremely helpful post! I encountered only 2 issues which I quickly figured out. The first was the script failed the first time I ran it because it said I did not have permissions; so I had to go to the data file I downloaded, right click on it, go to Properties>Permissions and give myself Full Control. I then re-ran script and got the desired results that matched what you show. Second, maybe just because I was tired, I didn’t see the AdventureWorks database automatically appear in my SQL Management Studio window as you show – then realized I had not connected to it. Once I did, and selected the database, all was good. These might be trivial for experienced SQL users, but wanted to pass along for any other amateurs like me :) Thanks again – great job and VERY helpful!!!

Reply
BOND | March 28, 2013 at 4:51 am

i down loaded the adventureworks 2012 for sql 2012 FROM your link but humanresources.employee table is not giving me the the table with employeeid, managerid and so on. instead it gives me businessEntityID, MARITAL STATUS, GENDER, BIRTHDATE, HIREDATE etc etc… i don’t know if i downloaded something wrong.

Reply
pavan | May 17, 2013 at 7:48 am

I have created a cube in SSSAS. And Now I want to create reporrt using that cube.
In report I have to create cascading parameters (Example: I have two parameter country and city.
So If I select country then their respective Citys should come in City parameter )

So any one of you could you please let me know that How Can I create cacscading parameter?

Should I create some hierarchy in SSAS?
Or I have to do something at report level ??

Reply
Ted Bissell | May 31, 2013 at 8:51 pm

Pinal, your instructions are of less value by your not dealing with the common permission and connection issues that people face when downloading and trying to install. Further, your narrative presentation leaves much to be desired, at least for English-speaking citizens of the U.S. . I understand your ‘English’ ; but bad diction, pronunciation, and obfuscating accent are not helpful. You perhaps would do somewhat better if you limited yourself to writing only the script for narration; but as someone who speaks, reads; writes three languages(including English); and knowing some vocabulary in Hindi, Urdu, and Punjabi; I would not attempt to give a presentation in Hindi of even something as simple as this is technically; that was full of mispronunciations, mixing of tenses, bad sentence construction, and misspellings…Other than that; I appreciate your efforts…

Reply
- pinaldave | May 31, 2013 at 9:18 pm
  
  Hi Ted,
  
  Thanks for your feedback.
  
  Reply
  - tedbissell | May 31, 2013 at 9:24 pm
    
    Hi Pinal,
    Thank You! The notice of the upgrade of Adventure Works is welcome news to those developers among us who are looking to create great templates for MVC4, EF5, HTML5, CSS3 sites with services and I continue to be a grateful follower of your insights into the SQL Server world!
    
    Reply
Francois | June 4, 2013 at 6:00 am

I still have this error:

Msg 1813, Level 16, State 2, Line 1
Could not open new database ‘AdventureWorks2012′. CREATE DATABASE is aborted.
Msg 948, Level 20, State 1, Line 1
The database ‘AdventureWorks2012′ cannot be opened because it is version 706. This server supports version 662 and earlier. A downgrade path is not supported.

Reply
naresh | June 18, 2013 at 5:32 pm

hi pinal , i am getting this error can u give me reply for this error I would be grateful to you
Msg 5120, Level 16, State 101, Line 1
Unable to open the physical file “E:\AdventureWorksDW2012_Data”. Operating system error 2: “2(The system cannot find the file specified.)”.

Reply

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