Switching to a SQL Server backing database
Published 22 October 2025
By default Test Data Manager uses a Sqlite backing database. If you want to use a SQL Server backing database instead:
- Make sure you have a running SQL Server instance that the computer running Test Data Manager can connect to and you know the ADO.Net connection string for it.
- Find the
config.ymlconfig file in the installation folder (typicallyC:\Program Files\Red Gate\Test Data Manageron Windows). - Edit the line saying
TdmDatabaseEngine: Sqliteto sayTdmDatabaseEngine: SqlServer. - Edit the line below defining the
ConnectionStringto use an ADO.NET connection string to your SQL Server instance. - From the Start menu, open the 'Services' app and use it to restart the service called 'Redgate TDM Service' to apply the changes.