DROP MASTER KEY (Transact-SQL)

Applies to: 👁 Image
SQL Server 👁 Image
Azure SQL Managed Instance 👁 Image
Azure Synapse Analytics 👁 Image
Analytics Platform System (PDW) 👁 Image
SQL database in Microsoft Fabric

Removes the master key from the current database.

👁 Image
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 AdventureWorks2025 database.

USE AdventureWorks2022; 
DROP MASTER KEY; 
GO 

Examples: Azure Synapse Analytics and Analytics Platform System (PDW)

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