Top resource consumers in Query Store show CPU, duration, and reads by query and plan, so tuning starts with workload impact.
Unstable Queries: Finding Wide Duration Swings in Query Store
Find unstable queries with Query Store duration spread, weight averages, and separate plan changes from waits and parameter effects.
DOP Feedback: Letting SQL Server Lower Parallelism by Itself
Configure DOP feedback in SQL Server 2022, check Query Store evidence, and compare parallelism changes with your workload and MAXDOP limits.
Query Store Capture Modes: ALL, AUTO and CUSTOM
Choose a Query Store capture mode for your workload, inspect ALL, AUTO, CUSTOM and NONE, and tune thresholds without losing useful history.
OPTION (FORCE ORDER): When a Join Order Hint Helps and Hurts
Test OPTION (FORCE ORDER) against real join plans, see when fixed table order helps or hurts, and apply a reversible Query Store hint.
Compatibility Level 170: What SQL Server 2025 Turns On
Move to compatibility level 170 on SQL Server 2025 with feature checks, Query Store baselines, plan comparisons, and a rollback plan.
Finding Which Statistics a Query Used in the Execution Plan
Find which statistics a query used through OptimizerStatsUsage in actual-plan XML, cached plans, and Query Store history.