Can I delete SQL transaction log files?
Category:
technology and computing
databases
To delete data or log files from a database
In Object Explorer, connect to an instance of the SQL Server Database Engine and then expand that instance. Select the Files page. In the Database files grid, select the file to delete and then click Remove. Click OK.
Simply so, is it safe to delete SQL log files?
Sometimes SQL Server won't be able to recover from this and create a new log file and you'l have lost the database. Normally logs are very safe to delete, however the transaction log isn't your normal log file. A transaction log keeps a record of every change to the database, along with the before and after values.
- Unfold Databases and then right-click the database that you want to shrink.
- Select the file type and file name.
- Generally, log file will be shrunk after you click OK now.
- Option 1: Select Release unused space check box.
- Select the Files page.
- Click OK.
Simply so, how do I clear the transaction log in SQL Server?
To Truncate the log file:
- Backup the database.
- Detach the database, either by using Enterprise Manager or by executing : Sp_DetachDB [DBName]
- Delete the transaction log file.
- Re-attach the database again using: Sp_AttachDB [DBName]
- When the database is attached, a new transaction log file is created.
Yes, you can safely delete these files. I would setup, if you do not have one already, a Job that will run periodically and auto-remove the old backups you do not need. Or you can go the Maintenance Plan route and use the pre-built Cleanup plan.