Windows could not start the SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) on Local Computer… (error code 3417)

Question

For some reasons I moved this folder : (Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL) to another drive, then returned it to the same location, but sql server has stopped working, showing this error when trying to start it again:

Windows could not start the SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) on Local Computer. For more information, review the System Event Log. If this is a non-Microsoft service, contact the service vendor, and refer to service-specific error code 3417.

I tried many solutions discussed in different forums, but none of them work for me.

The folder is not compressed or encrypted.

My sql server version is 2012:
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio      11.0.3128.0
Microsoft Analysis Services Client Tools    11.0.3128.0
Microsoft Data Access Components (MDAC) 6.1.7601.17514
Microsoft MSXML             3.0 4.0 6.0 
Microsoft Internet Explorer         9.0.8112.16421
Microsoft .NET Framework            4.0.30319.18047
Operating System                6.1.7601

Answer 1

Check if you did compress the driver or folder in where you put in the .mdf file.

If so, please go to the driver or folder, change the compress option by

Properties -> Advanced and unticked the “Compress contents to save disk space” checkbox.

After the above things, you should be able to start the service again. 

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