Should I Use the Default SQL Server 2012 Accounts or Make Specific Ones?

I'm installing the 180 day trial of SQL Server 2012 on a virtual machine with the intent of buying a license for it later on. From past experiences with installing SQL Server I would always make specific user accounts for the SQL Server to use. Looking at the installer now, its pre-populating the accounts with specific ones of its own:

  • SQL Server Agent - NT Service\SQLSERVERAGENT
  • SQL Server Database Engine - NT Service\MSSQLSERVER
  • SQL Server Analysis Services - NT Service\MSSQLServerOLAPService
  • SQL Server Reporting Services - NT Service\ReportServer
  • SQL Server Integration Services 11.0 - NT Service\MsDtsServer110
  • SQL Server Distributed Replay Client - NT Service\SQL Server Distributed Replay Client
  • SQL Server Distributed Replay Controller - NT Service\SQL Server Distributed Replay Controller
  • SQL Full-text Filter Daemon Launcher - NT Service\MSSQLFDLauncher
  • SQL Server Browser - NT AUTHORITY\LOCAL SERVICE

In the past (SQL Server 2008 R2) the Agent, Engine, Analysis Services and Reporting Services would be blank and I'd specify the accounts I made. Before I got to this screen on the installation I had already made new user accounts, as domain accounts, but I see that the installer is pre-populating with local accounts.

In the end, should I let the installer make the accounts it wants to make or should I replace them with the accounts I've made?


If you are in an AD environment, I would recommend using AD accounts for SQL Services. When you do things like backup, if you are running under builtin accounts permissions can become a pain (same with things like log shipping).

In other words, I have made the mistake of using the built-in accounts, and learned my lesson :-)