SQL Server 2016 Has Reached End of Support. Now What?

SQL Server 2016 Has Reached End of Support. Now What?

On July 14, 2026, SQL Server 2016 reached the end of extended support. That means regular...

How to Clear the SSMS Cache (SSMS 21 and Later)

How to Clear the SSMS Cache (SSMS 21 and Later)

Updated for SSMS 21 and later: This is a new, rewritten version of my earlier article...

SQL Server Transaction Log Forensics: Preserving Evidence During an Incident

SQL Server Transaction Log Forensics: Preserving Evidence During an Incident

SQL Server Transaction Log Forensics: Preserving Evidence During an Incident

This is the companion to Why sys.fn_dblog...

Why sys.fn_dblog Is Undocumented And Why It's Still There

Why sys.fn_dblog Is Undocumented And Why It's Still There

Why sys.fn_dblog Is Still Undocumented — And Still There

This article is about why things are the way...

How to Check TDE Progress and Elapsed Time in SQL Server

How to Check TDE Progress and Elapsed Time in SQL Server

Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) protects SQL Server data and log files while they are stored...

SQL Server gMSA: Why So Many DBAs Still Aren't Using It in 2026

SQL Server gMSA: Why DBAs Still Aren't Using It in 2026

Group Managed Service Accounts (gMSAs) solve the classic service-account password problem - just look at...

SQL Server sa Account Security: Rename, Disable & Best Practices

SQL Server sa Account Security: Rename, Disable & Best Practices

In the Windows administration world, it's pretty much a standard practice to rename the local administrator...

SQL Server instance metadata inventory with PowerShell and SMO

SQL Server instance metadata inventory with PowerShell and SMO

The purpose of this article is to introduce a PowerShell script that I wrote and published on...

Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log

Track SQL Server Configuration Changes Using the Error Log

If you work with SQL Server long enough, you or someone will eventually want to know, “Did...

Beware of Generic SQL Server License Keys (What to Use Instead)

Beware of Generic SQL Server License Keys (What to Use Instead)

I (think) realize that content here is probably more applicable to mid-to-large organizations than small...