Cannot drop distribution database in SQL Server 2012
first of all, thanks for the help and suggestions. I have now managed to delete the distribution database without rebooting the server. this is how i did it.


Created a distribution database with similar file locations on a different server.
Took the backup of this new distribution database.
Restored this backup on the existing distribution database with REPLACE, MOVE option.
Finally disabled distribution on the server.


Thanks again for the help.