Run CHECKDB on a restored copy to validate a recoverable backup, retain the full check output, and understand what remains untested.
Copy Database Without Statistics and Query Store Data
To copy database without statistics, add NO_STATISTICS and NO_QUERYSTORE to DBCC CLONEDATABASE. This post shows why that matters, because histograms and Query Store texts hold real values. It also shows the plan estimate that changes, how to make a clone writable, and what VERIFY_CLONEDB does.
Clone Database in SQL Server With DBCC CLONEDATABASE
Clone Database in SQL Server with DBCC CLONEDATABASE and you copy the structure and the statistics without a single row. This post runs the command on a demo database, checks what the clone holds and what it leaves out, and shows that the optimizer builds the same plan from the copied statistics.
Remove Extra tempdb Files in SQL Server Safely
To remove extra tempdb files, empty each file first with DBCC SHRINKFILE and then remove it with ALTER DATABASE. This post checks the file count and the allocation waits before you start, rehearses both steps on a demo database, shows the tempdb statements with their undo, and explains why emptying can fail.
Shrink tempdb Without Restarting SQL Server
To shrink tempdb without a restart, run DBCC SHRINKFILE against each tempdb file with a target size in megabytes. This post checks the file sizes and the space use first, shows the statement with its undo, and tests the shrink rules on a demo database, so the tempdb server stays untouched.
SQL SERVER – Historical PHYSICAL_ONLY Bug and Version Specific Evidence
A historical SQL Server 2017 Bug affected CHECKDB with PHYSICAL_ONLY and clustered columnstore data. One client observed a dump.
DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS Impact on Memory: See a Cold Cache in Action
DBCC DROPCLEANBUFFERS removes every clean page from memory, so the next query reads from disk. This post counts the pages of one database before and after, shows why a CHECKPOINT comes first, and compares a cold read with a warm read.