SQL Server Health Check

SQL Server Startup Parameters

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Written by
Mark Varnas

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What are SQL Server startup parameters?

When you install SQL Server, setup writes a set of default startup options in the Microsoft Windows registry that influences how it is started.

You can use these startup parameters to specify an alternate path to specific file locations needed during startup and specify some server-wide conditions.

Also, you can set startup parameters that use trace flags that affect the SQL Server behavior.

How can I check it?

You will find these startup options using the SQL Server Configuration Manager.

In the right pane, right-click SQL Server (<instance_name>), and then click Properties.

Figure 1 - SQL Engine startup settings
Figure 1 – SQL Server Database Engine startup settings

The Startup Parameters tab has three parameters by default.

  1. Location of the master database data file (-d)
  2. Location of the master database log file path (-l)
  3. SQL Server error logs path (-e)

How can I add trace flags as parameters?

To enable a trace flag and ensure the trace flag stays enabled through restarts, use a -T and the trace flag number (no spaces) as the sample below.

Figure 2 - Adding trace flag to SQL Server startup parameters
Figure 2 – Adding trace flag to SQL Server startup parameters

Note: improper use of startup options can affect server performance and can prevent SQL Server from starting.

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Article by
Mark Varnas
Founder | CEO | SQL Veteran
Hey, I'm Mark, one of the guys behind Red9. I make a living performance tuning SQL Servers and making them more stable.

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