How to know if Instant File Initialization is enabled?

Question

Besides creating a new database and timing it, is there a simple way to determine whether or not Instant File Initialization is enabled/functioning?

(on Windows Server 2008 Enterprise)

Oleg Dok · Answer 1 · 2012-01-17 18:57:57Z

up vote 3 down vote

The account under which Sql Server is RUNNING should have rights to Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks privilege.

See here:

Control Panel->Administration->Local Security Policies->Local Policies->User Rights->Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks

answered Jan 17 '12 at 18:57

Oleg Dok
1,974413

	I'd rather not have to do this. Isn't there an easier way. Maybe a simple command or cmdlet I can run? – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:00
	@subt13 - this is the way to check. – JNK♦ Jan 17 '12 at 19:01
	@JNK - Imagine if you have to do this on 100 machines. Surely this isn't the only way :) – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:02
	A quick google search pointed me to an article by Kendra Little. @OlegDok feel free to edit this into your answer. – Mark Storey-Smith Jan 17 '12 at 19:06
	@MarkStorey-Smith - it looks like that script grants the permissions, not checks for them – JNK♦ Jan 17 '12 at 19:14

Remus Rusanu · Answer 2 · 2012-01-17 19:20:33Z

up vote 3 down vote

Using ntrights.exe, check if the SeManageVolumePrivilege priviledge is granted. IF you prefer a 'built in' tool, use secedit /export /areas USER_RIGHTS.

edited Jan 17 '12 at 19:20

answered Jan 17 '12 at 19:13

Remus Rusanu
20.8k22357

	I do prefer 'built in'. Just a FYI the secedit line you posted does not work. But this is the kind of answer I'm looking for. – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:21
	`secedit /export /areas USER_RIGHTS /cfg foo.txt` if you need a working example. I did not post that because I found the idea of a command line tool that requires an output file and does not use the stdout quite embarrassing. Pipe into `grep`, anyone? – Remus Rusanu Jan 17 '12 at 19:24
	I agree and it's not very easy on the eyes, now that I'm looking at the file – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:25
	Ugh. I have no idea how to interpret this file. Time to do some learning I guess. – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:28
	For what is worth, compiling your own tool that calls GetTokenInformation and asks for the `TokenPrivileges` class shouldn't be too hard... – Remus Rusanu Jan 17 '12 at 19:29

OliverAsmus · Answer 3 · 2012-01-17 19:06:36Z

up vote 1 down vote

Simple SQL script involving trace flags.

answered Jan 17 '12 at 19:06

OliverAsmus
718310

That involves creating a database. I want to avoid doing that. – O.O Jan 17 '12 at 19:07

3 Answers