Remove-DbaServerRole

Synopsis

Removes custom server-level roles from SQL Server instances.

Description

Removes custom server-level roles that are no longer needed from SQL Server instances. This function helps clean up security configurations by permanently dropping user-defined server roles while preserving built-in system roles. Use this when decommissioning applications, consolidating permissions, or cleaning up after security audits. The operation requires confirmation due to its permanent nature and potential security impact.

Syntax

Remove-DbaServerRole
    [[-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>]
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [[-ServerRole] <String[]>]
    [[-InputObject] <ServerRole[]>]
    [-EnableException]
    [-WhatIf]
    [-Confirm]
    [<CommonParameters>]

Examples

Example: 1

PS C:\> Remove-DbaServerRole -SqlInstance Server1 -ServerRole 'serverExecuter'

Server-role ‘serverExecuter’ on Server1 will be removed if it exists.

Example: 2

PS C:\> Remove-DbaServerRole -SqlInstance Server1 -ServerRole 'serverExecuter' -Confirm:$false

Suppresses all prompts to remove the server-role ‘serverExecuter’ on ‘Server1’.

Optional Parameters

-SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances.

-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.

-ServerRole

Specifies the name of the custom server-level role to remove from the SQL Server instance.
Only user-defined server roles can be removed - built-in roles like sysadmin or serveradmin are protected.
Use this when you need to clean up obsolete custom roles after application decommissioning or security reviews.

-InputObject

Accepts server role objects from Get-DbaServerRole for pipeline operations.
Use this when you need to remove multiple roles or want to filter roles before removal.
Allows for more complex scenarios like removing all custom roles that match specific criteria.

-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.

-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the command were to run. No actions are actually performed.

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before executing any changing operations within the command.