Not that I think this is a good idea, but once you have the db, or db files, you would use a PoSh command to execute dbcc shrinkdatabase or dbccshrinkfile.

As Jeff noted, it could be because of hardware or poor code. If you benchmark the disk, is it slower than others?

Are there certain days/times/functions that cause...

If you want to see if it's being used, you'd need an Extended Events session to monitor for it. This would only show you when it's used, but not if...

No, Please don't ask if there's some other method. There isn't.

If you have a dacpac of the previous state of the db, you can use sqlpackage.exe to apply...

I assume you mean that you want to UNION these two queries. The columns need to be the same number and data types must be compatible: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/language-elements/set-operators-union-transact-sql

I don't know if there's a best way. Bob has one way here: http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/calendar/145206/

Some people  create a dimension table, and use an int as a PK...

Views aren't run. views are essentially a query definition that a user can use in place of a table and the optimizer will then run the query as though it...

All OSes (Win/Linux/Unix/OSX) are impacted.

That's interesting. Hadn't seen it, but I see the same thing. I'm guessing this is a basic default, but since guest is not enabled by default, it shouldn't be an...

Many of us get lazy with SET options, relying on defaults or assumptions.

There's a reason why SSMS shows these when they script objects. We want to be sure...

Closing. If the OP wants to start a new one, please give more details.

The VSS technology pauses the db so that a consistent, PIT copy can be made. This should give you useable files, though it is possible a restore will have inflight...

I saw that. A very unexpected consequence, and certainly a reason why we need better data understanding and controls.