Can I delete SQL Server log files?

Question

Note: The active transaction log file cannot be removed. Previously, we saw that once the primary log file becomes full, SQL Server uses the secondary log file. We need to make a secondary transaction log empty, so we can remove it. 31 янв. 2020 г.

How do I reduce the size of my SQL database log?

To reduce the physical size of a physical log file, you must shrink the log file. This is useful when you know that a transaction log file contains unused space. You can shrink a log file only while the database is online, and at least one virtual log file (VLF) is free.

What is SQL Server log file used for?

Every SQL Server database has a transaction log that records all transactions and the database modifications made by each transaction. The transaction log is a critical component of the database. If there is a system failure, you will need that log to bring your database back to a consistent state.

Does SQL log file affect performance?

If the transaction log file is full in the SQL Server database, it degrades the performance of the SQL Server. It also slows down the speed of the transactional log backup process. In addition, the over-sized transaction logs decrease the disk space also because old transaction logs are not removed yet.

Is it safe to shrink SQL log file?

Yes, it's fine. It doesn't affect any existing transactions, nor does it move any data around like database shrinking. Don't shrink it right back though, because growing a log file takes effort.

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