22-25 April 2026

Query Store Basics: A DBA’s Best Friend

Proposed session for SQLBits 2026

TL; DR

Ever wondered why your queries are running differently today than they did last week? Query Store in SQL Server can help you figure that out! In this session, we’ll break down the basics of Query Store, designed especially for junior or accidental DBAs.

Session Details

Ever wondered why your queries are running differently today than they did last week? Query Store in SQL Server can help you figure that out! In this session, we’ll break down the basics of Query Store, designed especially for junior or accidental DBAs.

We’ll talk about what Query Store does, how it works and how it evolved over time, and why it’s such a great tool for keeping track of query performance over time. With explanations and demos, you’ll learn how to use Query Store to spot performance issues, dig into query execution plans, and even prevent bad plans from ruining your day.

If you’re new to SQL Server or just looking for a practical way to optimize query performance, this session will help you to get started.

3 things you'll get out of this session

Learn about Query store: what it helps you with, how it works and how you can see results from it.