SQL Server 2025: Faster Backups with ZSTD Compression!
SQL Server 2025: Faster Backups with ZSTD Compression One of the most practical improvements in SQL Server 2025 —and a very welcome one for DBAs constantly fighting backup windows—is the new support for Zstandard (ZSTD) compression. This modern compression algorithm delivers faster backups without significantly increasing CPU or sacrificing storage savings. What’s New Compared to Previous Versions Up to SQL Server 2022, backup compression relied on MS_XPRESS , with optional acceleration via Intel QAT (or software fallback using QATzip). But now with SQL Server 2025, Microsoft introduces ZSTD : an open-source, high-speed compression algorithm with flexible levels and excellent performance-to-compression ratios. How to Use It No new UI, no new tools. It’s all in T-SQL: BACKUP DATABASE YourDB TO DISK = 'YourPath\backup.bak' WITH COMPRESSION (ALGORITHM = ZSTD, LEVEL = LOW|MEDIUM|HIGH); LOW is the default and fastest MEDIUM and HI...