Can't Add Yourself As SysAdmin on SQLExpress?

If you run into an issue where you inherited a machine with a SQLExpress instance already installed - and you get the "create database permission denied in database 'master'...there is an easy solution IF you are an admin on your local machine.

• Go to http://archive.msdn.microsoft.com/addselftosqlsysadmin/Release/ProjectReleases.aspx?ReleaseId=3954 and download the file to the machine.
• Right-click and Run as Administrator, click Yes on UAC.
• Hit ENTER if you just want to affect your local SQLExpress Instance.

If all goes well, you will be a SysAdmin in your SQLExpress Instance.