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Restoring Databases is the process of copying data from a backup and applying logged transactions to the data. Restore is what you do with backups. Take the backup file and turn it back into a database.

The Restore database option can be done using either of the following two methods.

Method 1 – T-SQL

Syntax

Restore database <Your database name> from disk = '<Backup file location + file name>'

Example

The following command is used to restore database called ‘TestDB’ with backup file name ‘TestDB_Full.bak’ which is available in ‘D:\’ location if you are overwriting the existed database.

Restore database TestDB from disk = ' D:\TestDB_Full.bak' with replace

If you are creating a new database with this restore command and there is no similar path of data, log files in target server, then use move option like the following command.

Make sure the D:\Data path exists as used in the following command for data and log files.

RESTORE DATABASE TestDB FROM DISK = 'D:\ TestDB_Full.bak' WITH MOVE 'TestDB' TO 
   'D:\Data\TestDB.mdf', MOVE 'TestDB_Log' TO 'D:\Data\TestDB_Log.ldf'

Method 2 – SSMS (SQL SERVER Management Studio)

Step1 − Connect to database instance named ‘TESTINSTANCE’ and right-click on databases folder. Click Restore database as shown in the following snapshot.

Step2 − Select device radio button and click on ellipse to select the backup file as shown in the following snapshot.

Step3 − Click OK and the following screen pops up.

Step4 − Select Files option which is on the top left corner as shown in the following snapshot.

Step5 − Select Options which is on the top left corner and click OK to restore ‘TestDB’ database as shown in the following snapshot.

In this section, we will learn about restoring databases in MS SQL Server. To know more click here.