Ways to Restore SQL Server 2014 Database from Backup

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Certainly, SQL Server stands out as an outstanding database management solution for all types of organizations. With the continuous release of new SQL Server versions, businesses consistently seek to stay up-to-date. Nevertheless, SQL Server users frequently encounter challenges such as connectivity problems, unexpected terminations, transient errors, and malicious software attacks. In the event of such situations, the most effective approach to recover a SQL Server 2014 Database is through the utilization of SQL backups. Regardless of the SQL version in use, SQL administrators heavily depend on backups for data restoration.

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 information will be crucial for SQL administrators.

Why Backup SQL Server 2014?

Creating a backup of your SQL Server 2014 data is essential to safeguard against potential data loss disasters. Furthermore, should you need to transition from one SQL server to another, the backup file will prove invaluable in facilitating this migration. A SQL database backup file plays a pivotal role in data recovery when confronted with various failures, including:

• 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.

You can employ various reliable techniques to recover SQL Server 2014 databases from backup files. However, it’s crucial to obtain the necessary permissions for both CREATE DATABASE and RESTORE actions before proceeding. Once these permissions are in place, you can utilize the following methods:

1. Using SQL Server Management Studio

   With the management studio, you have the convenience of restoring a SQL Server 2014 database from a backup file located on your device. Follow the steps below to acquire the knowledge of this process.

   • 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

   You can also employ Transact-SQL to recover SQL Server 2014 databases from a backup file. To gain a clearer understanding, follow these steps:

   • 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. Choose the designated .bak file on your system, then pick the desired SQL Server version, and proceed by clicking 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

Recovering data from a backup and restoring it to SQL Server 2014 may pose challenges for those unfamiliar with the process in SQL Management Studio. Nevertheless, armed with the appropriate approach and expertise, you can efficiently accomplish SQL database restoration. Additionally, we’ve explored a proficient tool that facilitates the swift restoration of SQL Server 2014 databases without any disruptions.