DROP MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)

**APPLIES TO:** ![yes](media/yes.png)SQL Server (starting with 2008) ![no](media/no.png)Azure SQL Database ![yes](media/yes.png)Azure SQL Data Warehouse ![yes](media/yes.png)Parallel Data Warehouse

Removes the master key from the current database.

Topic link icon Transact-SQL Syntax Conventions

Syntax

DROP MASTER KEY  

Arguments

This statement takes no arguments.

Remarks

The drop will fail if any private key in the database is protected by the master key.

Permissions

Requires CONTROL permission on the database.

Examples

The following example removes the master key for the AdventureWorks2012 database.

USE AdventureWorks2012;  
DROP MASTER KEY;  
GO  

Examples: [!INCLUDEssSDWfull] and [!INCLUDEssPDW]

The following example removes the master key.

USE master;  
DROP MASTER KEY;  
GO  

See Also

CREATE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
OPEN MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
CLOSE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
BACKUP MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
RESTORE MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
ALTER MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)
Encryption Hierarchy