EF5: Cannot attach the file ‘{0}' as database '{1}' EF5: Cannot attach the file ‘{0}' as database '{1}' sql-server sql-server

EF5: Cannot attach the file ‘{0}' as database '{1}'


If you delete the DB file, it still stays registered with SqlLocalDB. Sometimes it fixes it to delete the DB. You can do this from the command line.

  1. Open the "Developer Command Propmpt for VisualStudio" under your start/programs menu.
  2. Run the following commands:

    sqllocaldb.exe stop v11.0

    sqllocaldb.exe delete v11.0


For those still searching for a solution...

Go to View / SQL Server Object Explorer and delete the database from the (localdb)\v11.0 subnode!
enter image description here

There is essentially a local database retained of where the files should be, and if you want to delete the database files make sure you remove them from this explorer utility, not manually.


I did try JSobell's solution first but did not see my database listed there. I ran CodingWithSpike's commands from VS Developer Command Prompt, but that did not work either. Finally I ran CodingWithSpike's same commands from Package Manager Console and that worked.

    PM> sqllocaldb.exe stop v11.0    LocalDB instance "v11.0" stopped.    PM>     PM> sqllocaldb.exe delete v11.0    LocalDB instance "v11.0" deleted.    PM> sqllocaldb.exe start v11.0    LocalDB instance "v11.0" started.