---
locale: "en"
updated_at: "2026-04-16T08:34:46.320Z"
canonical: "https://www.isdecisions.com/en/userlock/docs/support/faq/database"
---

# Database

Learn how UserLock uses its database and manages stored data.

## What are the supported database types ?

All user session activity captured by UserLock is saved in a database to benefit from reporting and analyzes features.

You will find detailed information about the supported database systems on [this page](/userlock/docs/reference/core-concepts/database-architecture).

## Does UserLock need a dedicated SQL Server ?

No. You can manage others application databases on your SQL Server.

## Is the UserLock database in free access ?

Yes. You can access it through the UserLock console or through the Database client. We advise to not modify manually the UserLock database.
If you want to use and modify the session events database, please make a copy and work on this copy.

## Can I use the same database for the Primary and the Backup UserLock servers ?

No. The UserLock Primary server and the UserLock Backup server need to use their own database. You can use the same database server, but you need to define a different database name for each UserLock server.

## How can I define a MS SQL Server database in UserLock?

To use a MS SQL Server database, you just have to:

1. Create an empty database into MS SQL Server.
2. Open the UserLock console and click on the gear icon at the top right to access the server settings.
3. Click on database to display the current database settings.
4. Select **SQL SERVER** as database's type.
5. Finally, select the database you wish to use, then choose the authentication method.

UserLock is now set to work with an SQL Server database.

## The size of my UserLock database does not decrease after having cleaned events

The Logon cleaner deletes session events from the database. It gets you free space in the database, but doesn't reduce the database file size.

To reduce the database size, you need to compact your database:

- For MS SQL Server database, this option is available in [MS SQL Server Management Studio](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/maintenance-plans/maintenance-plans?view=sql-server-ver16).
- For the default MS Access database file (mdb), you can do it through MS Access to [compact and repair your database](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/compact-and-repair-a-database-6ee60f16-aed0-40ac-bf22-85fa9f4005b2). If you don't have MS Access, you can use this [free Microsoft tool](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/download-and-install-microsoft-365-access-runtime-185c5a32-8ba9-491e-ac76-91cbe3ea09c9).
- For MySQL database, please refer to [MySQL ](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/)online documentation about database maintenance plan. This [link ](https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/mysql-database-maintenance-best-practices/)might help with best practices otherwise you can find many other on Internet.

*Note: Database maintenance belongs to our customers. It is your responsibility to monitor the database and carry out regular maintenance. You may need to call in your database administrator to do this wisely.*

## How to use SQL Express and transfer records from the default MS Access DB?

Here are several guides available:

- [Install and configure SQL Express](/userlock/docs/guides/base-de-donnees/installer-et-configurer-sql-express)
- [Define a production database](/userlock/docs/guides/base-de-donnees/definir-base-donnees-production)
- [Migrate UserLock data from Ms Access to SQL Server](/userlock/docs/guides/database/migrata-access-to-sql-server)