04 Methods to Restore SQL Server Database from BAK File in Easy Steps

Summary: This article explains the procedures/steps of How to Restore SQL Server Database from a .bak file. Here, we will describe the 04 easy and simple methods to restore database in SQL Server from a .bak file using the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), Transact-SQL (T-SQL) query, PowerShell command, and an Aryson SQL Backup Recovery Tool. The alternate solution is to restore SQL database from Bak file, when all the manual procedures fail to restore DB from BAK file. Download Now   Purchase Now

What is SQL Server Database & Why Need to Restore It from BAK File

SQL Server is a relational database management system that works on a standard programming language and allows users to manage their data by creating multiple databases. It has been one of the most commonly used databases for more than 20 years by Worldwide users, and it is trusted more compared to other database managing servers.

However, it has been found that users regularly face different types of issues in their SQL Server database, like abrupt termination, database connection or transient errors, a problem with drivers, malicious software attacks, automatic shutdown, hang of server, and deletion of a saved database, and others. So it is compulsory to take the backup of the SQL Server Database, and users recommend downloading the SQL Server database data in the BAK File. 

But once they need to use the saved data again in the SQL Server, they must restore the Database from the BAK file, and How to Restore SQL Server Database from BAK File query answer we will be going to discuss in the next section.

04 Best Methods to Restore SQL Server Database from BAK File

There are various methods to restore the Azure SQL database from the Bak file. However, some of them are manual, and one of them is professional. Well, it all depends upon you whether you want to choose the manual or the professional one. Following are the steps to restore the SQL database from the Bak file without any data loss.

Method 1: Restore Database from BAK file Using SQL Server Management Studio 

Here are simple steps to restore the SQL Server database from the backup (.bak) file. However, you must ensure that your system has SQL Server Management Studio ( SSMS ).

1. First, launch SQL Server Management Studio ( SSMS ) to connect to a SQL Server instance.
2. Select the Object Explorer option to extend the Server tree and then click on the Server Name.
3. Open the database(s) you want to restore in the databases section.
4. Select the Restore database option from the list by performing right-clicking on the database.
5. The Restore Database page appears on your screen at this point.
   • Choose options in the Source section of the General page based on your requirements:
   • Select the database from the drop-down list and enable the Database option.
   • After that, click the Browse button to select a device option.
   • Select File as the backup media and click Add in the Select Backup Devices process.
   • Then, identify the.BAK file you wish to restore, select it and click OK.
   • To return to the Restore Database window, click OK.
6. Here, the destination section’s Database box shows the database name that needs to be restored.
7. The Backup sets to restore section contains information about the chosen backup file.
8. To continue the restoration procedure, click the OK button.
9. You’ll observe that the restoration process has begun.
10. Finally, a pop-up will appear, demonstrating the database’s successful repair. Hit “OK.”

Method 2: Restore SQL Database from BAK Using T-SQL query

You can also restore a database from the .bak file using the T-SQL query; here are a few easy steps:

1. Open SSMS and join a SQL Server instance.
2. Then select New Query from the menu.
3. You need to execute one of the following RESTORE statements on the Query Editor wizard:
4. Note: Be sure to change the database name you want to restore.
   • Use the following command to restore the complete database from the. Bak file:
     RESTORE DATABASE FROM DISK = ‘ \’ GO
   • Use the following command to restore a specific one from the.bak file:
     RESTORE DATABASE FILE = FROM DISK = ‘ \’ GO

Method 3: Retrieve SQL Server Database from BAK File By Replacing PowerShell

The Restore-SqlDatabase cmdlet can also restore a SQL database from a .bak file. It enables users to carry out restore operations on a SQL Server database, such as full database restores, transaction log recoveries, and file restores.

Method 4: Restore SQL Server Database from BAK File Using Professional Solution

Aryson SQL Backup Recovery Tool is the best and most efficient utility to restore SQL Server database files from the Bak file. It helps users to restore SQL Server Database (MDF & LDF) from BAK File without Losing Data integrity. You can even restore database data from damaged, corrupt backup files .bak. The software restore database and open BAK file into SQL Server instantly. 

Simple Steps to Restore SQL Database from Bak file

1. Download, Install & Run Aryson SQL Backup Recovery.
2. Select your .bak file to repair and extract files.
3. You can also select the split or compressed .bak files.
4. After selecting the .bak file, choose the saving location.
5. Now, click on the Extract files button to continue further.
6. You can also view the selected file information.
7. Click Save to extract MDF & LDF files from the Bak file.

Conclusion

After reading this blog, I hope you understand the different methods to restore SQL Server Database from BAK file. Whether you can use the SQL Server Management Studio ( SSMS ), Transact-SQL (T-SQL) query, PowerShell command, or a third-party solution, all of them help you to restore the SQL database from the Bak file.

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