--- title: "New-DbaDbMasterKey" description: "Creates a database master key for encryption operations" url: "https://dbatools.io/New-DbaDbMasterKey/" availability: "Windows, Linux, macOS" tags: ["Certificate", "Security"] author: "Chrissy LeMaire (@cl), netnerds.net" source: "https://github.com/dataplat/dbatools/blob/master/public/New-DbaDbMasterKey.ps1" last_updated: "2024-01-01" --- # New-DbaDbMasterKey ## Synopsis Creates a database master key for encryption operations ## Description Creates a database master key, which is required for implementing Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Always Encrypted, or other database-level encryption features. The master key serves as the root encryption key that protects other encryption keys within the database. Defaults to creating the key in the master database if no specific database is specified, and will prompt securely for a password if none is provided. ## Syntax ```powershell New-DbaDbMasterKey [[-SqlInstance] ] [[-SqlCredential] ] [[-Credential] ] [[-Database] ] [[-SecurePassword] ] [[-InputObject] ] [-EnableException] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [] ``` ## Examples ### Example 1: You will be prompted to securely enter your password, then a master key will be created in the master... ```powershell PS C:\> New-DbaDbMasterKey -SqlInstance Server1 ``` You will be prompted to securely enter your password, then a master key will be created in the master database on server1 if it does not exist. ### Example 2: You will be prompted by a credential interface to securely enter your password, then a master key will be... ```powershell PS C:\> New-DbaDbMasterKey -SqlInstance Server1 -Credential usernamedoesntmatter ``` You will be prompted by a credential interface to securely enter your password, then a master key will be created in the master database on server1 if it does not exist. ### Example 3: Suppresses all prompts to install but prompts in th console to securely enter your password and creates a... ```powershell PS C:\> New-DbaDbMasterKey -SqlInstance Server1 -Database db1 -Confirm:$false ``` Suppresses all prompts to install but prompts in th console to securely enter your password and creates a master key in the 'db1' database ### Optional Parameters ##### -SqlInstance The target SQL Server instance or instances. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -SqlCredential Login to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential). Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported. For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Credential Provides an alternative way to supply the master key password using a PSCredential object. Use this when you need to pass the password programmatically or when integrating with credential management systems. The password portion of the credential is used to encrypt the master key. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Database Specifies the database where the master key will be created. Defaults to master database if not specified. Use this when implementing encryption features like TDE or Always Encrypted in specific user databases rather than just the system master database. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | master | ##### -SecurePassword Provides the password used to encrypt the database master key as a SecureString object. If not specified, you'll be prompted to enter the password securely via console. This password is required for SQL Server to decrypt the master key when the service starts. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | Password | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -InputObject Accepts database objects from the pipeline, typically from Get-DbaDatabase. Use this when you want to create master keys across multiple databases in a single pipeline operation or when working with pre-filtered database collections. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | true (ByValue) | | Default Value | | ##### -EnableException By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message. This avoids overwhelming you with "sea of red" exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting. Using this switch turns this "nice by default" feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | False | ##### -WhatIf Shows what would happen if the command were to run. No actions are actually performed. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | wi | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ##### -Confirm Prompts you for confirmation before executing any changing operations within the command. | Property | Value | | --- | --- | | Alias | cf | | Required | False | | Pipeline | false | | Default Value | | ## Outputs **Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.MasterKey** Returns one MasterKey object for the database where the master key was created. **Default display properties (via Select-DefaultView):** - ComputerName: The computer name of the SQL Server instance - InstanceName: The SQL Server instance name - SqlInstance: The full SQL Server instance name (computer\instance) - Database: The database name where the master key was created - CreateDate: DateTime when the master key was created - DateLastModified: DateTime when the master key was last modified - IsEncryptedByServer: Boolean indicating if the master key is encrypted by the server **Additional properties available (from SMO MasterKey object):** - Urn: The Uniform Resource Name of the master key - State: Current state of the object (Existing, Creating, etc.) - Parent: Reference to parent database object --- Part of [dbatools](https://dbatools.io/), a free and open source PowerShell module for SQL Server administration. Full command index: https://dbatools.io/commands/