In many organizations the SQL server may encounter an error like database connection errors, transient errors, abrupt termination, malicious software attacks and so on. In such cases, the most suitable option to restore SQL server database using the backup file. Though in certain cases, rebooting the SQL server may resolve this problem yet restoring a SQL database with the help of SQL backup (.bak) file is the best feasible solution. Here, we are going to discuss a complete guide to let users understand how to restore a .bak file in SQL server. First, let's understand the importance of backup in SQL Server.
Why Do we Need to Take Backup?
In order to minimize the risk of data loss, it is necessary to take backup of SQL database. It will also help to preserve changes that may happen while working with SQL Server on a daily basis. Thereby, a full backup will definitely help the user to protect databases against data loss and data theft. In simple terms, creating a backup of database is the only way to keep the data secure.
Before You Begin Data Restoration
If the database to be restored does not exist any longer, the users have CREATE DATABASE permissions to execute RESTORE. If the full database exists, RESTORE permissions to members of sysadmin and dbcreator fixed server roles and the owner of the database (for this option FROM DATABASE_SNAPSHOT, the database always exists) by default.
RESTORE permissions are given to user roles in which membership detail is always available to server. Since fixed database role membership can only be checked when the database is accessible and undamaged that is not always the case when RESTORE command is executed, members of db_owner fixed database role do not have permissions to RESTORE data.
Restore SQL Backup File - Manual Workarounds
There are different ways through which users can restore .bak file in SQL Server. Please have a look:
- Using SQL Server Management Studio
1. Once the suitable instance of SQL Server Database Engine is connected, in the Object Explorer, select the server name to expand server tree.
2. Expand Databases, and based on the database, you can either select user database or you can expand System Databases and choose a system database.
3. Right-click on the database, go to Tasks menu, and click Restore.
4. Select the type of restore operation which you want (Files and Filegroups, Databases, or Transaction Log). This will open the corresponding restore dialog.
5. Under the General page, click From device on the Restore source section.
6. Click browse button for the From device text box that shows a specific Backup dialog box.
7. Choose Backup Device under the Backup media text box, and click Add button to view the Select Backup Device box.
8. From the Backup device text box, choose a particular device you want to use for restoring operation.
- Using Transact-SQL
1. Connect to the SQL Server Database Engine
2. After that, click New Query from the Standard bar
3. In the RESTORE statement, you have to mention a logical or physical backup device for backup operation. This example can restore from a disk file that contains the physical name:
Note: In case, if the backup of current database(which is corrupted) has not been taken, then it is not possible to restore the current database from it. In such scenario one can try SQL Recovery Software to recover database from corrupted MDF database file
Time to Conclude
SQL Server is the most widely used enterprise database management system. But sometimes, users need to restore SQL database using a .bak file. Therefore, in this write-up, we have explained all possible ways to restore .bak file in SQL Server manually.
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