SSMS on my laptop could not connect to SQL in Azure Virtual Machine, even though it worked fine on the VM itself. Here is how I fixed the connection.
SQL SERVER – The OLE DB Provider “Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0” for Linked Server “(null)” Reported an Error. Access Denied
OPENROWSET on an Excel file gave: The OLE DB provider “Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0” for linked server “(null)” reported an error. Access denied. Here is the fix.
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.
Schema Changes History Report: See Who Dropped a Table
The Schema Changes History report shows who created, altered or dropped a table. This post reads the same default trace with T-SQL, tests it on a table and a database drop, and explains the limits: file rollover and shared logins. It ends with ways to keep the history longer.
SQL SERVER – Azure Key Vault Deletion Error – Vault ‘ProdRecoveryVault’ Cannot be Deleted as There are Existing Resources Within the Vault
Not an Azure Key Vault after all: a Recovery Services vault that would not delete. The AzureRM script is retired, and soft delete waits 14 days.






