https://www.sqlserver70.com/tags/backup-compression/Recent content in Backup Compression on SQL Server ScriptsHugo -- gohugo.ioenSQLServer70.comFri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.sqlserver70.com/post/sql-server-backup-compression-enable-verify-script/Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://www.sqlserver70.com/post/sql-server-backup-compression-enable-verify-script/ <p>Backup compression reduces the on-disk size of SQL Server backup files and can significantly shorten backup duration by reducing the amount of data written to disk. This post shows how to enable compression at the server level, verify the setting is active, and confirm compression ratios from backup history using the msdb catalog.</p> <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1012089347386563" crossorigin="anonymous"></script> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1012089347386563" data-ad-slot="8593449130"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <h2 id="purpose-and-overview">Purpose and Overview</h2> <p>SQL Server backup compression has been available since SQL Server 2008, but it was initially limited to Enterprise and Developer editions. From SQL Server 2016 SP1 onward it is available in all editions including Standard and Express. Despite this, many instances still run with compression disabled because the default setting is off.</p>