How to Restore Database In SQL Server

Restoring a SQL Database Backup can be an important part of ensuring the security and integrity of your data. Using SQL Server Management Studio, it is possible to restore backups created with either full or differential backups. In this guide, we will discuss how to restore the database in SQL Server so that you can keep your data safe and secure. We will cover how to use the query editor to restore a database, how to select the backup device, and how to verify that your restored database is working correctly. By the end of this guide, you will know the necessary to successfully how to restore the database in SQL Server Management Studio.

Related Post: SQL Server 2019 Express Server Installation Guide

Access SQL Server Management Studio

1) Open SQL Server Management Studio and log in to the SQL Server you want to restore the database to. It is best to either log in as a Windows Administrator or as the SQL ‘sa’ user.

2) Once logged in, right-click on the Databases folder and select ‘Restore Database’.

how to restore database in sql server

Search for the source SQL Server Backup file

3) Click the ellipses button next to ‘From device’ under the ‘Source for restore’ section.

restore database sql server

4) Set ‘File’ as the backup media and then click ‘Add’.

sql server backup and restore

5) Browse to the SQL backup (BAK) file you want to restore.

Choose the appropriate SQL Server Restore Options

In the Restore Database dialog, type or select the destination database you want this backup restored to.

  •     If you select an existing database, it will be replaced with the data from the backup.
  •     If you type a database name that does not currently exist in your SQL Server installation, it will be created.

6) Next, select the restore point you want to use. Since a SQL backup file can hold multiple backups you may see more than one restore point listed.

7) At this point, enough information has been entered for the database to be restored. However, SQL backup files store information about where data files are copied so if there are any file system problems such as a destination directory not existing or conflicting data file names an error will occur. These problems are common when restoring a backup created on a different SQL Server installation.

Confirm the SQL Server Restore Options

8) To review and change the file system settings, click the Files page on the left in the Restore Database dialog.

9) On the Files page, you will want to make sure the ‘Restore As’ column points to valid folder locations (you can change them as needed). The files do not have to exist, however, the folder path must exist. If the respective files do exist, SQL Server follows a simple set of rules:

10) If the ‘Destination Database’ (from the General page) matches the restore database backup, select the Overwrite the existing database option and also select the Close existing connections’ option.

11) Once your restore options are set, click Ok.

Related Post: How To Take Full Database Backup in SQL Server with SQL Backup Master

FAQs on SQL Server backup type and Restore

How do I troubleshoot restoring a SQL database backup?

If you’re trying to restore the database SQL server, there are a few things you can try in order to troubleshoot the issue:

– Check the file path for the backup. Make sure it’s correct and that the file is accessible.

– If you’re trying to restore a database from an online backup, make sure your server is online and accessible.

– Verify that the SQL Server service is started.

– Make sure there are enough available resources (such as disk space) to complete the restore operation.

If you’re still having trouble restoring your database, you can look up the forums or contact your cloud hosting provider or Microsoft Support for assistance.

What are some common errors when we plan a how to restore database in SQL Server?

1. Failing to restore the backup file to the same location as the original database on the server.

2. Restoring a backup of a production database to a development or test server.

3. Failing to stop the SQL Server service before restoring the backup file.

4. Performing a full restore when only a partial restore is required.

5. Restoring data from an older backup file while forgetting to restore the associated transaction log backup files.

6. Skipping over required steps in the restore process, such as restoring system tables and/or rebuilding indexes.”

How do I remove the databases that are not required for restoration?

To remove databases not required for restoration from a SQL server, use the following command:

restore database <database name> WITH MOVE <database file name> TO <backup location>

OR

If you want to remove all the non-essential databases at once, use the following command:

USE master; GO SELECT Name FROM sys.databases WHERE Is_Master_Database = 0; DROP DATABASE [{name}];

Can I restore my database file to a different MS SQL Server database?

Yes, you can restore an MS SQL Server database file to a different MS SQL Server database. To do this, you would use the RESTORE DATABASE statement in Transact-SQL.

To specify the location of the backup file, you would use the FROM clause. In addition, you can use the WITH MOVE clause to indicate the new location of one or more log backup files.

Wrapping Up:

Whether you are trying to restore a backup from an online or offline server, the process of sql server backup and restore of a SQL database backup is similar. To successfully restore your database, you will need to make sure that the file path for the backup file is correct and accessible, ensure that your server is online and accessible, start the SQL Server service, and make sure that you have sufficient resources available, such as disk space.

You may also encounter some common error messages or issues during the restore process, including failures to restore the backup file to the same location as the original database, restoring a backup of a production database to a development or test server, and failing to stop the SQL Server service before restoring the backup file.

If you are having trouble restoring your database, it may be helpful to consult with a support professional or refer to any documentation or resources provided by your SQL server software vendor. With some planning and careful attention to detail, however, you should be able to successfully restore your SQL database backup and get back up and running again in no time.

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