Backup to URL hangs on PREEMPTIVE_HTTP_EVENT_WAIT when an outbound rule denies internet access on an Azure virtual machine. I saw it after blocking the internet on my own VM. An outbound rule that allows the Storage destination fixed it.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
Find the Oldest Query Plan in the Plan Cache
To find the oldest query plan in the plan cache, sort sys.dm_exec_query_stats by creation_time. This post tests the idea on a demo with three procedures, compares the oldest plan with the server start time, and lists what clears the plan cache.
SQL SERVER – SQL Server Agent Missing in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)
A client could not see the SQL Server Agent node, it was missing in SQL Server Management Studio. Here are the possible causes, starting with sysadmin rights.
Tagging Personal Data Columns With ADD SENSITIVITY CLASSIFICATION
Add sensitivity classification to reviewed columns, inspect stored labels, and keep discovery separate from encryption and access controls.
SQL SERVER – 5061: FIX Error: ALTER DATABASE failed because a lock could not be placed on database ‘Database Name’. Try again later.
Trying to take a test database offline, we hit Msg 5061: ALTER DATABASE failed because a lock could not be placed on database. Here is how to fix it.
SQL SERVER – OLE DB Provider ‘Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0’ for Linked Server ‘(null)’ Returned Message ‘Unspecified Error’
Reading Excel through OPENROWSET failed: the OLE DB provider for linked server (null) returned message ‘Unspecified error’. Here is how I fixed it.
How to Grow All Files in a File Group Equally? – TRACE FLAG 1117 – Interview Question of the Week #201
How do you grow all files in a file group equally? The answer is Trace Flag 1117, plus the AutoGrow option that SQL Server 2016 brought for filegroups.
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Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

