How To Restore SQL Server Database
Microsoft SQL Server (MSSQL) is a relational database management system used on
Windows servers. The latest versions are also available for the Linux platform. It’s a good
practice to backup databases regularly, especially in production environments. So in case of
any failure, we can restore a database from backup files. The SQL server provides options to
back up and restore the full database or transactions logs.
In this how-to guide, we will learn to restore the SQL Server database using T-SQL statements
and SQL Server Management Studio.
How to Restore SQL Server Database
We can restore a SQL Server database from a backup file either using the SQL queries or SQL
Server Management Studio (SSMS). Use one of the below options to restore a SQL Server
database from a backup file.
1. Restore SQL Database with T-SQL
Use the RESTORE DATABASE query to restore a SQL server databse from a backup file.
For example, You have a database backup file created with BACKUP commant
at C:\backups\Test_db.bak . Then execute the following T-SQL statement to restore backup
Test_db database from file.
RESTORE DATABASE [Test_db]
FROM DISK = 'D:\backups\Test_db.bak';
In most cases above command failed to restore the database and you need to go with the
next query.
2. Restore SQL Database (WITH REPLACE)
Include the WITH REPLACE option to overwrite any existing data. The WITH REPLACE tells the
SQL Server to discard any active contents in the transaction log and complete the restore.
RESTORE DATABASE [Test_db]
FROM DISK = 'D:\backups\Test_db.bak'
WITH REPLACE;
3. Restore SQL Database (WITH MOVE)
It might be the destination server database has placed files in a different location than the
origin backup server. In that case, you need to define MDF and LDF file locations.
First identity the logical name of both files of the database. To find the logical name, right-
click on the database, click properties and select the Files tab. Here you can find the logical
names.
Use the below query with the correct logical names, file locations, and backup files.
RESTORE DATABASE [Test_db]
FROM DISK = 'D:\backups\Test_db.bak'
WITH REPLACE,
MOVE 'Test_db' TO 'D:\MSSQL\Data\Test_db.mdf',
MOVE 'Test_db_log' TO 'D:\MSSQL\Log\Test_db_log.ldf';
4. Restore SQL Server Database Using SSMS
The SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is an awesome graphical tool for managing
databases on SQL Server.
1. Right click on database >> Tasks >> Restore >> Database
2. Select Device and click on three dots (…) in front of that
3. Select backup file and click Ok
4. Go to Files tab
5. If the files location is differnt than source. Select checkbox “Relocate all files to
folder”
6. Select the MDF and LDF files directory, This will update files path as well
7. Now, go to Options tab
8. Select checkbox Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE)
9. Uncheck the box Take tail-log backup before restore
10. Click OK to complete database restore in SQL server
Here are the useful screenshots of the database restoration in SQL Server with SQL Server
Management Studio (SSMS).
Under the General tab, selecting a database backup file to restore.
Under the files tab, If required, select the relocate check box and enter MDF and LDF folder.
In the Options tab, select the WITH replace option. Also, uncheck the tail-log checkbox.
Finally, completed the database restoration.
