Shrinking SQL Server Data Files - Best Practices, and Why It Sucks

I’ve gotten a few questions about shrinking SQL Server data files lately. What’s the best way to get shrink to run? And why might it fail in some cases?

Traditionally, every time you ask a DBA how to make shrinking suck less, they start ranting how shrinking is bad and you just shouldn’t do it. Sometimes it sounds kinda angry.

What people are trying to say is that shrinking data files is generally slow, frustrating, and painful for you.

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Required Testing for Installing SQL Server Cumulative Updates and Service Packs

Microsoft recently updated their policies and recommendations for installing cumulative updates.

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Managing Statistics in SQL Server for DBAs (videos)

Want to learn more about managing statistics updates in SQL Server? Watch my 27 minute presentation on managing statistics.

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Updating Statistics in SQL Server: Maintenance Questions & Answers

I’ve been asked a lot of questions about updating statistics in SQL Server over the years. And I’ve asked a lot of questions myself! Here’s a rundown of all the practical questions that I tend to get about how to maintain these in SQL Server.

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