Ways to Restore SQL Server 2014 Database from Backup

Read time 6 minutes

No doubt, SQL Server is an excellent database management tool for every organization. Also, as new versions of SQL Server keep coming to the market, businesses keep upgrading. But, while using SQL Server, many users often face issues like database connection errors, abrupt termination, transient errors, malicious software attacks, etc. If any such situation occurs, then the best solution to restore SQL Server 2014 Database is with the help of SQL backup. SQL administrators extensively rely on backups for restoring SQL data, irrespective of its version.

But is it necessary to backup SQL Server database for restoring data, or are there any other methods? Well, backing up your SQL database will not only help in restoring the data, but it also helps in situations like disaster recovery. Here we will discuss why you should backup SQL Server data and how you can restore the database with the backup file. This will be a piece of essential information for all SQL administrators.

Why Backup SQL Server 2014?

Backup of your SQL Server 2014 data protects you from catastrophic data loss situations. Also, if you want to migrate from one SQL server to another, then the backup file will be very helpful for that scenario. A SQL database backup file helps in recovering data from any failures, such as:

• Hardware failures like damaged disk drives or permanent loss of server
• Media failure
• General user errors like deleting a table by mistake

Backup of SQL Server 2014 is useful for routine administrative purposes, such as moving data from one server to another.

There are some effective methods that allow you to restore SQL Server 2014 databases from the backup files. But, before performing these methods, you’ll need CREATE DATABASE and RESTORE permissions. After getting the permissions, you can use the below methods:

1. Using SQL Server Management Studio

   Using the management studio, you can easily restore SQL Server 2014 database from a backup file on your device. Follow the below steps to learn how you can do it.

   • First, connect to the appropriate instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database engine.
   • After connecting, go to the Object Explorer and click the server name to expand the server tree.
   • Now, click Databases and select either a user database or a System Database.
   • Right-click on the database, go to Tasks, and click Restore.
   • Select the Type of Restore operation, such as Database, Files and Filegroups, or Transaction Log. The corresponding restore dialog box will appear on the screen.
   • Now, on General Page, click From Device in the Restore device section.
   • Click the Browse button to open the Specify Backup dialog box.
   • Select the Backup device in the Backup Media test box and click the Add button to open the Select Backup Device dialog box.
   • Now, select the device that you want to use for the restore operation.

   After choosing the restore option, select the backup file and click OK.

2. Using Transact-SQL

   Another method to restore SQL Server 2014 databases from a backup file is using Transact-SQL. Follow the below steps to understand better:

   • Connect to the Database Engine and click the New Query from the Standard Bar.
   • Now, in the Restore statement, select the specific backup device to perform the backup. Below is an example that restores data from a disk file with the physical name:

     Z:\SQLServerBackups\TestBackupFile.bak

     RESTORE DATABASE TestDatabase

     FROM DISK = ‘Z:\SQLServerBackups\TestBackupFile.bak;

     These two methods are very easy to implement for those who have a strong knowledge of SQL Server. However, people who are just starting with SQL Server cannot perform these methods easily. Also, there are some limitations to the manual methods.

The limitations and restrictions of manual methods make them not a viable solution to restore SQL databases from a backup file. These limitations are:

• You’ll have to understand the procedure properly before going for the backup restoration.
• There is no backup statement for any implicit or explicit transaction
• Also, you cannot restore the backup created on a recent SQL server to a new SQL server.

But, don’t worry!

We have an alternate solution for you that allows quick restoration of SQL Server 2014 from a backup file.

It is a great utility designed with advanced algorithms to restore SQL Server databases from a backup file. This SQL backup recovery tool is empowered with smart features like selective restoration of data, preview every data object before restoring the backup file, etc.

Let’s better understand this tool by its working process:

1. Install and open the tool on your system.
2. Select the specific .bak file from your system, and then select the SQL Server version and click Next.
   

   Note: You can also select Auto Detect Database version if you don’t know the database version.

3. In the next step, the tool will show the backup file details. Select the file and click Next.
   
4. The tool will display all the objects on the left-hand side. Click any object to preview its content.
   
5. Now, select the specific data that you want to restore to SQL Server 2014 and click Save.
6. In the Saving mode, select SQL Server and enter the details for the SQL Server 2014 and click OK.
   

The file will be restored to SQL Server 2014. You can follow the same procedure for other versions of SQL Server as well.

Conclusion

Restoring data from backup to SQL Server 2014 can be tricky if you don’t know how to perform the steps using SQL Management Studio. However, with the right strategy and knowledge, you can quickly restore SQL databases. Also, we have discussed a professional tool that will allow you to restore SQL Server 2014 databases quickly without any interruption.