Deleting 1 millions rows in SQL Server

Question

I am working on a client\'s database and there is about 1 million rows that need to be deleted due to a bug in the software. Is there an efficient way to delete them besides

Answer 1

If you cannot afford to get the database out of production while repairing, do it in small batches. See also: How to efficiently delete rows while NOT using Truncate Table in a 500,000+ rows table

If you are in a hurry and need the fastest way possible:

• take the database out of production
• drop all non-clustered indexes and triggers
• delete the records (or if the majority of records is bad, copy+drop+rename the table)
• (if applicable) fix the inconsistencies caused by the fact that you dropped triggers
• re-create the indexes and triggers
• bring the database back in production