---
title: "filestream access level (server configuration option)"
description: "Become familiar with the filestream_access_level option. See how it changes the FILESTREAM access level for an instance of SQL Server."
author: rwestMSFT
ms.author: randolphwest
ms.date: 10/02/2023
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: configuration
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords:
  - "FILESTREAM [SQL Server], access level"
  - "filestream access level"
---
# FILESTREAM access level (server configuration option)

[!INCLUDE [SQL Server](../../includes/applies-to-version/sqlserver.md)]

Use the `filestream_access_level` option to change the FILESTREAM access level for this instance of [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)].

> [!NOTE]  
> Before this option has any effect, the Windows administration settings for FILESTREAM must be enabled. You can enable these settings when you install [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] or by using [!INCLUDE [ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] Configuration Manager.

| Value | Definition |
| --- | --- |
| `0` | Disables FILESTREAM support for this instance. |
| `1` | Enables FILESTREAM for [!INCLUDE [tsql](../../includes/tsql-md.md)] access. |
| `2` | Enables FILESTREAM for [!INCLUDE [tsql](../../includes/tsql-md.md)] and Win32 streaming access. |

## Related content

- [SQL Server installation guide](../install-windows/install-sql-server.md)
- [Enable and configure FILESTREAM](../../relational-databases/blob/enable-and-configure-filestream.md)