Mastering · Recorded class · Taught by Brent Ozar
Mastering Index Tuning 2026
You need to speed up a SQL Server app, but you only want to make index changes. No new hardware, no SQL Server changes, no code changes.
$795 one payment · recordings through Dec 31, 2026
Buy the recording See what’s inside ↓
One payment, no auto-renew, no refunds.
What you’ll learn
Index changes only. Big results anyway.
- Filtered indexes, indexed views, and computed columns, and when each one backfires.
- Fixing blocking without touching the application code.
- The D.E.A.T.H. method for cleaning up a server with hundreds of indexes.
Who it’s for
DBAs and developers who’ve finished Fundamentals of Index Tuning and are now responsible for a server where every table already has a dozen indexes.
Curriculum · Every lecture
What’s inside
- About 10 hours
- 7 sections
- 25 lectures
- Taught by Brent Ozar
Before the Class
- Introductions 20:09
- Prerequisites
- Change Log for This Class
- Watch the Live Class Start
- Download the Slides & Demos
Bending the 5 & 5 Guideline with Special Indexes
- Filtered Indexes 37:41
- Indexed Views 39:56
- Computed Columns 28:45
- Automatic Indexing Through Time 22:36
- Lab 1 Assignment 7:20
- Lab 1: Brent Does It 37:10
Heaps and Clustered Indexes
- Where to Use Heaps and How to Pick Clustering Keys 48:20
Fixing Blocking with Index Tuning
- Fixing Blocking with Index Tuning 42:14
- Lab 2 Assignment 7:34
- Lab 2: Brent Does It 38:26
Making Tough Decisions When You Scale
- When to Remove Constraints and Foreign Keys 35:02
- Choosing Between Partitioned Tables and Views 43:42
- How to Get Seeks on the Second Column of an Index 15:04
- Lab 3 Assignment 5:47
- Lab 3: Brent Does It 47:00
Specialized Index Types
- Tuning Indexes to Avoid Key Lookups 20:12
- Indexing JSON 25:50
Doing the D.E.A.T.H. Method
- Deduping and Eliminating 44:56
- Lab 4 Assignment 5:28
- Lab 4: Brent Does It 52:57
This class is included in…
Or get all of them.
4 bundles contain this class. Every one is cheaper than buying its classes one at a time, and the recorded passes are about half.
Recorded bundle · 3 classes
Recorded Class Season Pass: Mastering
Access through Dec 31, 2026. Every class links to its own page and full curriculum.
$2,385
$1,495
bought separately · save 37%
Recorded bundle · 13 classes
Recorded Class Season Pass: Fundamentals + Mastering
Access through Dec 31, 2026. Every class links to its own page and full curriculum.
$4,335
$2,195
bought separately · save 49%
Mastering · Live class
Mastering Index Tuning 2027
The live class, the Mastering Index Tuning 2026 recording right now, and the 2027 recording when it’s cut, through Dec 31, 2027.
$1,495 one payment
Registration opens October 1, 2026Live Class Season Pass 2027
One pass. Every class. All year.
Fundamentals Week and all three Mastering classes, live, every rotation through Feb 2028. Plus the Recorded Class Season Pass: Fundamentals + Mastering (all 13 recordings) the minute you buy, and your name in the alumni directory.
$4,395 one payment
Registration opens October 1, 2026Prerequisites & logistics
The fine print, in regular-size type.
- Labs (optional)
- Your own SQL Server lab with the large Stack Overflow database, or rent a lab VM. Fundamentals of Index Tuning first. Labs are optional; the lectures stand on their own.
- Access
- Recordings through Dec 31, 2026, on training.brentozar.com. One payment, no auto-renew.
- Refunds
- None. Watch the free previews and read the curriculum above first; that’s what it’s there for.
- Purchase orders
- Accepted for 10 or more seats; email help@brentozar.com for a quote. Everything else goes through the website by credit card.
Free, 3× a week
3 posts a week, in your inbox
Plus a Monday roundup of my favorite database news from around the web. No fluff, occasional jokes.
Questions first
Not sure this is the one?
Email help@brentozar.com and tell me what’s slow. It’s me answering, and I’d rather sell you the right class than the biggest one.
Email me