SQL Server 2025 raises the bar for query performance and troubleshooting with a new set of developer- and DBA-friendly features. This session dives into improvements that directly impact how you design, run, and tune workloads:

Optional Parameter Plan Optimization — reduce parameter sniffing issues without rewriting code, giving queries more stable and predictable performance.

ABORT_QUERY_EXECUTION Hint — finally stop runaway queries gracefully, protecting system resources without needing manual intervention.

Cardinality Estimator (CE) Feedback for Expressions — let the optimizer learn from mistakes in estimating row counts, leading to smarter execution plans over time.

Columnstore Enhancements — faster analytics with less overhead, ensuring large fact tables and reporting workloads keep up with demand.

Time-Bound Extended Events Sessions — capture what you need, when you need it, without bloated traces that run forever.

Query Store Improvements — better visibility and fine-grained control over execution plans, making it easier to diagnose and stabilize workloads.

This isn’t just a list of new knobs — it’s a toolkit for making SQL Server “smarter” on your behalf. You’ll learn how each feature works, when to apply it, and how it can reduce firefighting time while improving both performance and stability.

If you manage or tune SQL Server workloads, this is the session where you’ll see what 2025 delivers for the day-to-day performance battles that matter.