Published on

December 2, 2007

Improving Your SQL Server Management Studio Experience

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is a powerful tool for managing and querying SQL Server databases. However, some users have complained about the slow startup time of SSMS. In this article, we will discuss some tips and tricks to improve your SSMS experience.

Custom Startups

One of the frustrations with SSMS is having to click through multiple windows to get to the database you use most often. However, there is a way to start SSMS directly in a specific database. By editing the properties of the SSMS executable, you can add the “-d” parameter followed by the name of the database you want to start in. This will save you time and make your workflow more efficient.

No Splash Screen

Splash screens can be annoying, especially if you open and close SSMS frequently. To remove the splash screen and make SSMS start up faster, you can add the “-nosplash” switch to the SSMS startup. However, it is important to note that this switch should only be used for trusted connections and not for SQL authentication, as it is not secure to have your password in a shortcut.

Speeding It Up

Over the years, Microsoft has made improvements to SSMS, resulting in faster startup times. However, if you are still experiencing slow startup, you can try disabling the check for a publisher’s certificate in Internet Explorer. This check can take time, especially for applications with managed (.NET) code like SSMS. Disabling this check may help speed up the startup process, but it is not recommended as it compromises security.

Sharing Registrations

If you frequently work with multiple SQL Server instances or need to share your server connections with others, SSMS provides a convenient way to export and import server registrations. By exporting your registered servers, including the credentials if desired, you can easily import them into another copy of SSMS. This saves you time and ensures consistency across different instances.

A Quick Directory

Have you ever needed to run a command prompt executable while working with SQL Server? With SSMS, you can execute command prompt commands directly from the SQLCMD mode. Simply switch to SQLCMD mode, prefix your command with two exclamation points, and execute it. This eliminates the need to open a separate command prompt window and enhances your productivity.

Bookmarks

When working on complex SQL scripts, it is common to jump between different sections of code. Bookmarks in SSMS allow you to mark specific lines of code and quickly navigate back to them. By opening the Bookmark pane, you can create, rename, and navigate through your bookmarks with ease. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with lengthy stored procedures or queries.

Execution Plans

Execution plans provide valuable insights into how SQL Server processes your queries. If you need a second opinion or want to share an execution plan with a colleague, SSMS allows you to save the execution plan as an XML document. By right-clicking inside the plan window, you can select the “Save Execution Plan” option and share the file with others. This facilitates collaboration and troubleshooting.

Conclusion

These are just a few tips and tricks to enhance your experience with SQL Server Management Studio. By customizing the startup behavior, removing splash screens, optimizing performance, sharing server registrations, utilizing the SQLCMD mode, leveraging bookmarks, and saving execution plans, you can streamline your workflow and become more efficient in managing your SQL Server databases.

What are your thoughts on these tips? Do you have any additional tips to share? Let’s discuss in the comments below!

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