You can set LPIM in Configuration Manager without editing the local security policy by hand. This post shows where the property sits, how to read it from PowerShell, and how to check the result with T-SQL after the restart. It also explains why a memory cap comes first.
SQL SERVER 2019 – How to Turn On or Enable Instant File Initialization?
SQL Server 2019 Configuration Manager provides an interface for instant file initialization. My lab also used it with SQL Server 2017.
Table Variable Deferred Compilation: Before and After SQL Server 2019
Compare table variable deferred compilation at compatibility levels 140 and 150, then decide when a temporary table gives better estimates.
Lightweight Query Profiling: Live Progress Without the Old Overhead
Use lightweight query profiling to inspect live operator rows and in-flight plans, while avoiding misleading progress percentages.
Statistics Sample Percent and PERSIST_SAMPLE_PERCENT
The statistics sample percent decides how many rows SQL Server reads when it updates a statistic. A tested demo on 1,000,000 rows shows the default sample of 35.5 percent, a FULLSCAN of 100 percent, and the way PERSIST_SAMPLE_PERCENT keeps 100 percent for later updates, including an automatic one. It also shows that a sampled update can be slower than a full scan.
APPROX_COUNT_DISTINCT With GROUP BY: When Exact Wins
APPROX_COUNT_DISTINCT with GROUP BY returns an estimate for every group. A tested demo on 2,000,000 rows shows a memory grant of 207,616 KB for the exact count against 3,112 KB for the estimate, and a memory grant of 0 for the exact count once an index exists. It also shows the error on small groups, where 4,648 of 100,000 groups were off.
Database Scoped Configuration Options in SQL Server
Database scoped configuration options change how one database behaves, without touching the server. This post lists all 41 options on SQL Server 2025, finds the 7 ids that are missing, and changes and restores two settings in a demo database. It also answers the old question about configuration id 5.