Shrinking my SQL database using SQL Management Studio

This support note applies to:

AE Practice Manager (NZ)
AE Practice Manager (AU)
AE Tax (NZ)
AE Tax Series 6 & 8 (AU)
AE Tax (AU)

These instructions require technical expertise

Make sure you know what you're doing and are using one of the products listed. If you're not sure, ask your IT professional or MYOB.

Article ID: 34906

If the database size is larger then expected, you can run a database shrink that will reduce it size. This is only effective on the LOG file if the database is set to simple recovery and not full where the transactional data is retained.

To check whether my database is set to full or simple recovery

Go to Start > All programs > Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 > SQL Server Management Studio. The Connect to Server window appears.
Ensure the server name and authentication details are correct and click Connect. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio appears.
Expand Databases and find and click the database. The database appears.
Right-click the database and select Properties. The Database Properties window appears.
Click Options in the left-hand pane. The database options appear in the right-hand pane.
If the Recovery model displays Simple, leave it as Simple.
If the Recovery model displays Full, change it to Simple.
Click OK. The Database Properties window closes.

To shrink the database

In Management Studio, right-click the required database and follow the menu path: Tasks > Shrink > Database. The Shrink Database window appears.

Click OK. The database shrinks and the Object Explorer appears.
Close Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Your database has now been shrunk.