How to enable instant file initialization for SQL Server

Enable instant file initialization for faster data file allocations.

1. Run the Local Users and Groups tool on the server that runs SQL Server to find the appropriate group name for each instance of SQL Server.

   

   For example:
   • For an SQL Server 2005 named instance, SQLServer2005MSSQLUser$SERVER$INSTANCE
   • For an SQL Server 2008 named instance, SQLServerMSSQLUser$SERVER$INSTANCE
   • For the SQL Server 2008 default instance, SQLServerMSSQLUser$SERVER$MSSQLSERVER.
2. Enable instant file initialization.
   1. Run the Local Security Policy tool on the server.
   2. Select the folder Security Settings > Local Policies > User Rights Assignment.

      

   3. On the panel, double-click Perform volume maintenance tasks.

      

   4. Click Add User or Group.
   5. Click Locations and select your local computer name or your domain.
   6. Click Object Types and select Groups.
   7. Enter the SQL Server group or your cluster domain group.

      

   8. Click OK.
3. Restart SQL Server.

For more information, please refer to https://blogs.msdn.microsoft.com/sql_pfe_blog/2009/12/22/how-and-why-to-enable-instant-file-initialization/.