We’ve gathered together the top Microsoft Support solutions to the most common issues experienced using Microsoft SQL Server.

1. Solutions related to performance:

• Deadlock Troubleshooting, Part 1
• Pssdiag and Sqldiag Manager
• Working with tempdb in SQL Server 2005
• Troubleshooting Performance Problems in SQL Server 2008
• SQL Nexus Tool
• Recommendations and guidelines for the "max degree of parallelism" configuration option in SQL Server
• Description of the Replay Markup Language (RML) Utilities for SQL Server
• SQL Server I/O Basics, Chapter 2
• Microsoft® SQL Server® 2012 Performance Dashboard Reports

2. Solutions related to cluster failover:

• DBA 101: Collecting and Interpreting Failover Cluster Logs
• Why is my SQL Clustered Instance changing authentication modes?
• SQL Server Cluster Failover Root Cause Analysis–the what, where and how
• Sql Server Resource Fails to come online on Cluster with Error Error Locating Server/Instance Specified [xFFFFFFFF]
• SQL Server 2005 cluster resources fail after a side by side installation of SQL Server 2008 on a Windows Server 2008
• You get "Failover instance 'MSSQLSERVER' cluster group not found" when you try to add a new node to a single node SQL Server Failover cluster.
• A SQL Server cluster resource goes to a "failed" state when you try to bring the resource online in SQL Server
• How to change SQL Server parameters in a clustered environment when SQL Server is not online
• How to clean up the cluster resource group and the databases on a shared disk after a failed failover Cluster Complete operation in SQL Server 2008
• "Object must be a root directory" message after a SQL Server 2008 failover cluster upgrade fails
• SQL Server failover cluster rolling patch and service pack process
• A SQL Server Agent resource cannot be brought online in a Windows Server 2008-based failover cluster

3. Solutions related to crashes and exceptions:

• SQL Server reports errors for exceptions, assertions, and hang conditions
• How to troubleshoot SQL Server database consistency errors
• How to choose antivirus software to run on computers that are running SQL Server
• The use of third- party detours or similar techniques is not supported in SQL Server

4. Solutions related to SQL Server backup or restore:

• SQL Backup Simulator
• Is SQLVDI.DLL functioning properly?
• How to fix permission issues when moving MSDB database between different instances
• INF: Space requirements for backup devices in SQL Server
• How to schedule and automate backups of SQL Server databases in SQL Server Express
• Best Practice recommendations for SQL Server Database Backups
• SQL Server records the date/time of the most recent database consistency check with no errors
• Behavior of compressed backups when appending backups to an existing media set
• Restoring Full- text Catalog in SQL Server 2005 removes SQLServer2005MSFTEUser ACL
• Troubleshooting SQL Server Backup/Restore Problems

5. Solutions related to network errors:

• Using Network trace to troubleshoot intermittent connectivity issues
• A case study on System.InvalidOperationException due to SQLConnection leak
• How to prepare for a SQL Developer / Connectivity case
• Troubleshoot Connectivity Issue in SQL Server 2005 - Part II
• A special GNE (General Network Error) messages when running SQL Server after installing service pack 1 for Windows Server 2003 and TCP registry key SynAttackProtect
• Named Pipes Provider, error: 40 - Could not open a connection to SQL Server
• SQL Network Interfaces, error: 26 - Error Locating Server/Instance Specified
• Steps to troubleshoot SQL connectivity issues
• Connectivity troubleshooting in SQL Server 2008 with the Connectivity Ring Buffer
• Sql Server Resource Fails to come online on Cluster with Error Error Locating Server/Instance Specified [xFFFFFFFF]
• How to enable remote connections in SQL Server 2008?
• FIX: Errors when a client application sends an attention signal to SQL Server 2008 or SQL Server 2008 R2
• Potential causes of the "SQL Server does not exist or access denied" error message
• "General Network error," "Communication link failure," or "A transport-level error" message when an application connects to SQL Server

Here are the top Microsoft Support solutions to the most common issues IT Pros experience using or deploying Microsoft Windows 8.

1. Solutions related to modern apps install\start:

• Win8: App: Modern: Modern Apps Fail to Start if the User Profiles or the ProgramData directory are Moved from their Default Location
• Win8: App: Modern: Modern applications fail to start if "Audit the access of global system object" is enabled
• Win8: App: Modern: Apps fail to start if default registry or file permissions modified
• Win8: App: Modern: Application considrations for roaming profiles
• Win8: App: Store related group policy settings
• Win8: App: Modern: Modern UI Apps fail to install with error 0x80073d0a if the Windows Firewall service is disabled

2. Solution for modern apps through authenticated proxy:

• Using authenticated proxy servers together with Windows 8

3. Solution for application not seen on Start screen:

• Application is not shown on the Start screen after switching to another user

4. Solution for Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) may not be available after suspend/resume:

• Wi-Fi Direct (WFD) may not be available after Suspend/Resume on Windows 8

5. Solutions related to .Net 3.5 installation issues:

• How to enable .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 in Offline Mode
• Installing the .NET Framework 3.5 on Windows 8 or 8.1
• How to troubleshoot error 0x800F081F when installing roles and features

6. Solutions related to Key Management Server (KMS) and MAK key:

• When trying to activate you get 0xC004F074 with description "The Key Management Server (KMS) is unavailable"
• "Change product key" link is not available in Windows 8 or in Windows Server 2012
• Volume Activation Overview
• An update is available for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 KMS hosts to support Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012
• How To Verify or Check your KMS/MAK Product Key
• Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 Recommendations for Activation

7. Solutions related to resuming work after system is in “hibernation”:

• 0x0000007a Stop error when you resume a Windows 8-based computer from Hibernate mode
• Windows 8 restarts to a blank screen after a standard shutdown or hibernation

Here are the top Microsoft Support solutions to the most common issues experienced using System Center Virtual Machine Manager (SCVMM).

1. Solutions related to virtual machine status:

• Description of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 hotfix rollup package: September 14, 2010
• Recommended hotfixes for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2
• How to troubleshoot the "Not Responding" host status in SCVMM 2008 and in SCVMM 2008 R2
• You cannot delete a missing VM in SCVMM 2008 or in SCVMM 2008 R2

2. Solutions related to virtual machine management:

• Recommended hotfixes for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2
• Error 2912 when a Virtual Machine Manager 2008 and 2008 R2 operation fails due to a certificate issue: "Element not found (0x80070490)"
• Description of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 Admin Console hotfix rollup package: June 8, 2010
• You cannot delete a missing VM in SCVMM 2008 or in SCVMM 2008 R2

3. Solutions related to other issues about Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) Server and Administrator Console:

• Recommended hotfixes for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2
• Error 2912 when a Virtual Machine Manager 2008 and 2008 R2 operation fails due to a certificate issue: "Element not found (0x80070490)"
• You cannot delete a missing VM in SCVMM 2008 or in SCVMM 2008 R2
• Opening the VMM Administrator Console results in error 1604
• The System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 administrator console may take a long time to load
• Events 1925, 1006, 1645, 1055, 40961 on a Windows Server 2008-based domain controller or authentication errors
• Description of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 Admin Console hotfix rollup package: June 8, 2010

4. Solutions related to migration problems:

• Error 0x800704DD during VM creation or migration in System Center Virtual Machine Manager
• Description of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2 hotfix rollup package: September 14, 2010
• Recommended hotfixes for System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 R2
• Transfers between the System Center Virtual Machine Manager server, the Library Server and the Virtualization Hosts may fail with error 12700, 2927, or 2912
• Migrating a System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008 VM from one cluster to another fails with error 12711
• Error 2912 when a Virtual Machine Manager 2008 and 2008 R2 operation fails due to a certificate issue: "Element not found (0x80070490)"

Here are the top Microsoft Support solutions for the most common issues experienced when using Microsoft Lync Server.

1. Solutions related to Sign on and authentication - Internal user:

• Lync 2010 Client Authentication
• The New Lync Connectivity Analyzer
• Sign in to and out of Lync 2010
• TechNet forums – Filtered for Lync Server 2013 – Sign In, Presence, IM, and Contacts
• Failed TLS connection between unified communications peers generates an Schannel warning
• Description of the Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 14.0.2 update
• Description of the Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 14.0.5 update
• Certificate Requirements for Internal Servers
• Deploying Mobility
• Lync downloads and updates
• Lync Server 2013 Best Practices Analyzer

2. Solutions related to Sign on and authentication - External user:

• Lync Firewall Rules Viewer
• Configuring Reverse Proxy for Lync Server 2010 Mobility
• The New Remote Connectivity Analyzer
• The New Lync Connectivity Analyzer
• LyncMD: Troubleshooting Lync Server 2010 when a Remote Sign-In Fails Due to Certificate-Related Issues
• TechNet forums – Filtered for Lync Server 2013 – Sign In, Presence, IM, and Contacts
• How to troubleshoot issues that you may encounter when you use the Lync 2010 mobile client for iPhone and iPad
• Lync Server 2010 certificate requirements for user access
• Description of the Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 14.0.2 update
• Set Up Reverse Proxy Servers
• Determining DNS Requirements
• Topologies for External User Access
• Deploying Mobility
• Lync downloads and updates
• Lync Server 2013 Best Practices Analyzer

3. Solutions related to Manageability, Planning, and Deployment\Installation and uninstallation issues (using Msiexec, updates, Office Communicator Automatic Updates, and pilot cleanup):

• Deploying Lync – Jump Start Series
• LyncMD: Troubleshooting Installation Issues when Deploying Lync Server 2010 with Other Microsoft Products
• Certificate Authentication in Lync Server 2010 and Enterprise PKI
• TechNet forums – Filtered for Lync Server 2013 – Management, Planning, and Deployment
• Lync Server evaluation period has expired
• Lync Server Setup or Remove Lync Components fails on Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
• Description of the Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 14.0.2 update
• Deploying Lync Server 2010 Enterprise Edition
• Troubleshooting
• Lync downloads and updates

4. Solutions related to Manageability, Planning, and Deployment\Service startup:

• The New Lync Connectivity Analyzer
• TechNet forums – Filtered for Lync Server 2013 – Management, Planning, and Deployment
• Lync Server 2010 certificate requirements for user access
• Description of the Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 14.0.2 update
• Preventing Lync Server certificate expiration
• Lync downloads and updates
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Remote Debugger

5. Solutions related to Group Chat:

• TechNet forums – Filtered for Lync Server 2013 – Persistent Chat
• Failed TLS connection between unified communications peers generates an Schannel warning
• How to enable Group Chat Channel and Lookup service trace logging for Group Chat Server
• Lync Server 2010 certificate requirements for user access
• Description of the Microsoft Lync for Mac 2011 14.0.2 update
• Lync Server 2010 Group Chat Server Channel service becomes un-operational
• Determining DNS Requirements
• Lync Server 2013 Persistent Chat Resource Kit Tools
• Lync downloads and updates
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 Remote Debugger

Here are the top Microsoft Support solutions to the most common issues experienced using Microsoft SharePoint Server.

1. Solutions related to backup and restore issues:

• How Do I: Backup and Restore a SharePoint 2010 Site Collection?
• Backup (SharePoint Foundation 2010)
• Getting started with SharePoint Server 2010 for IT pros
• SharePoint 2010: Backup and Restore IIS Web Server Configuration Through PowerShell
• Backup SharePoint Server 2010
• Backup and recovery cmdlets (SharePoint Foundation 2010)
• Restore pre-SP1 backups to an SP1 farm (SharePoint Foundation 2010)
• Recovery (SharePoint Foundation 2010)
• Configuring permissions for backup and recovery (SharePoint Foundation 2010)
• Backup and recovery best practices (SharePoint Foundation 2010)

2. Solutions related to profile synchronization:

• Profile synchronization overview (SharePoint Server 2010)
• How user profile synchronization works in SharePoint 2010
• Best practices for people and profiles (SharePoint Server 2010)
• Troubleshoot User Profile Synchronization Service start issues (SharePoint Server 2010)
• Troubleshoot profile synchronization configuration issues (SharePoint Server 2010)
• Troubleshooting User Profile Sync Issues on SharePoint 2010
• “Stuck on Starting”: Common Issues with SharePoint Server 2010 User Profile Synchronization
• SharePoint 2010: Troubleshoot User Profile Sync
• SharePoint 2010 Profile Sync - Inability to import users based on group membership
• User Profile to SharePoint Full Synchronization job stops computing Membership

3. Solutions related to lists, libraries, pages, and items:

• Export sites, lists, or document libraries in SharePoint 2013
• Building Block: Lists and Document Libraries
• Edit permissions for a list, library, or individual item
• Designing large lists and maximizing list performance (SharePoint Server 2010)
• Overview of the SharePoint 2013 page model
• Manage lists and libraries with many items
• Working with lists and list items with REST
• Handling Large Folders and Lists
• Create, change, or delete a view of a list or library
• Estimate performance and capacity requirements for large scale document repositories in SharePoint Server 2010

4. Solutions related to user profile:

• Social and collaboration features in SharePoint 2013
• Synchronize user and group profiles in SharePoint Server 2013
• Administer the User Profile service in SharePoint Server 2013
• Use Windows PowerShell cmdlets to configure the User Profile service in SharePoint Server 2013
• Troubleshoot User Profile Synchronization Service start issues (SharePoint Server 2010)
• Rational Guide to implementing SharePoint Server 2010 User Profile Synchronization

5. Solutions related to crawling, content processing, and indexing:

• Crawl transparency in SharePoint Server 2013. How to find when a list was crawled.
• How can I achieve the best freshness of search results? Introducing Continuous Crawls for SharePoint
• Introducing Search Schema for SharePoint 2013
• Searching new content with SharePoint Search
• Plan crawling and federation in SharePoint 2013
• Overview of the search schema in SharePoint Server 2013
• Manage the search topology in SharePoint Server 2013
• Overview of search in SharePoint Server 2013
• Search in SharePoint Server 2013