SQL Restore Database from bak File

This section will explain the step-by-step approach for the SQL Server restore database procedure using the BAK file. For this Restore Database demonstration, we use the adventure works 2017 .bak.

SQL Restore Database from BAK File

In this example, we will use the BAK file to Restore the SQL Database. The server does not have the AdventureWorks2017 database.

TIP: Please refer to Backup for creating a backup and Maintenance Plan for making regular backups in Sql Server.

Open SQL Management Studio to Restore Database using BAK File 1

As you can see, the MDF and LDF corresponding to the Adventure Works 2017 is not there in C Drive

MDF and Log files in system hard drive 2

We have an Adventure Works Backup file in our D Drive, and we will use this bak to restore a database.

Choose or Select the BAK File from System Hard Drive 3

Syntax of the restore Database from the backup file

RESTORE DATABASE DatbaseName
	FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\BackupFileName.bak'
	WITH MOVE 'LogicalMDFFileName' TO 'location\MDFFileName.mdf',
	MOVE 'LogicalLDFFileName' TO 'location\LDFFileName.ldf'

Let me use the above syntax to restore the Adventure Works.

RESTORE DATABASE AdventureWorks2017
	FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\AdventureWorks2017.bak'
	WITH MOVE 'AdventureWorks2017' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft ...........\DATA\AdventureWorks2017.mdf',
	MOVE 'AdventureWorks2017_log' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft .........\DATA\AdventureWorks2017_log.ldf'

The query executes without any errors, and the db is attached successfully.

Now you can see the Adventure Works 2017

The above process has automatically added the MDF and LDF to the C Drive

Automatically saved MDF and LDF FIles in the File System 7

If you don’t know the logical names, then use the Restore File System to retrieve the Logical Filenames.

RESTORE FILELISTONLY 
	FROM DISK = 'D:\Backups\AdventureWorks2017.bak'

Restore Database in SQL Server using BAK Example 2

How to Restore Database in SQL Server using BAK file?. For this demonstration, we are going to use Management Studio to restore the database from the .bak file.

As you can see, the server does not have the AdventureWorks2017 database

Databases in management studio Object Explorer 1

See that the Mdf and ldf files corresponding to the AdventureWorks2017 are not there in C Drive.

TIP: Please refer to Backup Database for creating a database backup, and refer to Maintenance Plan for creating regular database backups in SQL Server.

Open File location to view existing msg and ldd files 2

We have a Backup file in our D Drive, and we use this file to restore

Restore Database in SQL Server using BAK File

Right-click on the Databases folder and select the Restore Databases… option.

Restore Database in SQL Server using BAK 4

Selecting the Restore Databases.. option, it will open the following window.

In this example, we want to restore a database from the file system. So, let me select the Device option. Next, click on the … button will open the following window.

Click on the Add button and select the backup file by navigating to the file location.

Choose the BAK File to Restore Database in SQL Server 7

Click OK to restore the AdventureWorks database

Restore Database in SQL Server using BAK 8

Please wait until the restore is finished.

Click OK to Restore the SQL Server Database using the bak file.

Now you can see the Adventure Works 2017 database in the Management Studio.

The above process has automatically added the Mdf and ldf files to the C Drive.