| title | Server Configuration: scan for startup procs | |
|---|---|---|
| description | Learn about the scan for startup procs option. See how it specifies whether SQL Server scans for and runs all automatically run stored procedures at startup. | |
| author | rwestMSFT | |
| ms.author | randolphwest | |
| ms.date | 08/26/2025 | |
| ms.service | sql | |
| ms.subservice | configuration | |
| ms.topic | conceptual | |
| helpviewer_keywords |
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[!INCLUDE SQL Server]
This article describes how to configure the scan for startup procs server configuration option in [!INCLUDE ssnoversion] by using [!INCLUDE ssManStudioFull] or [!INCLUDE tsql]. Use the scan for startup procs option to scan for automatic execution of stored procedures at [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] startup time. If this option is set to 1, [!INCLUDE ssNoVersion] scans for and runs all automatically run stored procedures that are defined on the server. The default value for scan for startup procs is 0 (don't scan).
This option is an advanced option, and should be changed only by an experienced database professional.
The value for this option can be set by using sp_configure; however, the option is set automatically if you use sp_procoption, which is used to mark or unmark automatically run stored procedures. When sp_procoption is used to mark the first stored procedure as an autoproc, this option is set automatically to a value of 1. When sp_procoption is used to unmark the last stored procedure as an autoproc, this option is automatically set to a value of 0. If you use sp_procoption to mark and unmark autoprocs, and if you always unmark autoprocs before dropping them, there's no need to set this option manually.
Execute permissions on sp_configure with no parameters or with only the first parameter are granted to all users by default. To execute sp_configure with both parameters to change a configuration option or to run the RECONFIGURE statement, a user must be granted the ALTER SETTINGS server-level permission. The ALTER SETTINGS permission is implicitly held by the sysadmin and serveradmin fixed server roles.
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In Object Explorer, right-click a server and select Properties.
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Select the Advanced node.
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Under Miscellaneous, change the Scan for Startup Procs option to True or False by selecting the value you want from the dropdown list box.
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Connect to the [!INCLUDE ssDE].
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From the Standard bar, select New Query.
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Copy and paste the following example into the query window and select Execute. This example shows how to use sp_configure to set the value of the
scan for startup procsoption to1.USE master; GO EXECUTE sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1; GO RECONFIGURE; GO EXECUTE sp_configure 'scan for startup procs', 1; GO RECONFIGURE; GO EXECUTE sp_configure 'show advanced options', 0; GO RECONFIGURE; GO
The server must be restarted before the setting can take effect.