Using the Default Trace in SQL Server
I have heard of the default trace in SQL Server. I know it’s on by default, but I don’t know how to use it. What can I do with the default trace?
2025-04-18
Default Trace
Using SQL Server's Default Trace to Identify Autogrow Events in tempdb
We all know that you should try to size tempdb appropriately, so it doesn’t need to autogrow shortly after starting up SQL Server. It isn’t always easy to do this. Therefore, when you first implement a new server and/or add new databases you should monitor the autogrowth events on tempdb. By monitoring the autogrowth events you can easily determine if you have sized tempdb appropriately.
2018-07-17
2,946 reads
A Few Cool Things You Can Identify Using the Default Trace
If you are running an instance of SQL Server 2005 and above then most likely that instance is running the default trace. This default trace is a canned Profiler server side trace that automatically starts up when SQL Server starts. In this article Greg Larsen explains more about the default trace and shows you how to glean some event information from the trace files created by this background trace process.
2012-04-05
3,916 reads
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Question of the Day
Upgrading Admin Queries
I have a query from a former DBA that we run on SQL Server 2025 to check on database metadata. This query references sys.sysaltfiles. I want to refactor this code to be more modern. Which DMV should I reference instead?
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