SQL Maintenance - Reduce Size of SQL .ldf Files

Truncate databases:

                SQL

                -Sort by Size (check C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\DATA)

                -Backup transaction log to backup location (C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Backup\...)  & name accordingly

                                -Verify truncate option is already set (should be by default)

                -Right click on database > Tasks > Shrink > Database > check ‘Reorganize files before releasing unused space…’ option > OK

                -Verify mdf/ldf files are significantly smaller

NOTE: May have to complete steps multiple times to see a significant difference in size.

                -Delete backup files from C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Backup\

***SQL Maintenance Plan- for truncating dbs*** Found not good to automate this kind of action. Also lots of blogs about truncating ldf & mdf creates data fragmentation.