Import .bak file to a database in SQL server - sql-server

Question

I have a file with .bak extension.
How can I import this date to a database in SQL Server?

Answer 1

On SQL Server Management Studio
Right click Databases on left pane (Object Explorer)
Click Restore Database...
Choose Device, click ..., and add your .bak file
Click OK, then OK again
Done.

Answer 2

This will show you a list of database files contained in DB.bak:
RESTORE FILELISTONLY
FROM DISK = 'D:\3.0 Databases\DB.bak'
You will need the logical names from that list for the MOVE operation in the second step:
RESTORE DATABASE YourDB
FROM DISK = 'D:\3.0 Databases\DB.bak'
and you have to move appropriate mdf,ndf & ldf files using
With Move 'primarydatafilename' To 'D:\DB\data.mdf',
Move 'secondarydatafile' To 'D:\DB\data1.ndf',
Move 'logfilename' To 'D:\DB\log.ldf'

Answer 3

You can simply restore these database backup files using native SQL Server methods, or you can use ApexSQL Restore tool to quickly virtually attach the files and access them as fully restored databases.
Disclaimer: I work as a Product Support Engineer at ApexSQL

Answer 4

Instead of choosing Restore Database..., select Restore Files and Filegroups...
Then enter a database name, select your .bak file path as the source, check the restore checkbox, and click Ok. If the .bak file is valid, it will work.
(The SQL Server restore option names are not intuitive for what should a very simple task.)

Answer 5

On Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 2019:
On Restore Database window:
Choose Device
Choose Add and pick target file
OK to confirm
OK to confirm restore

Answer 6

Connect to a server you want to store your DB
Right-click Database
Click Restore
Choose the Device radio button under the source section
Click Add.
Navigate to the path where your .bak file is stored, select it and click OK
Enter the destination of your DB
Enter the name by which you want to store your DB
Click OK
Done

Answer 7

Although it is much easier to restore database using SSMS as stated in many answers.
You can also restore Database using .bak with SQL server query, for example
RESTORE DATABASE AdventureWorks2012 FROM DISK = 'D:\AdventureWorks2012.BAK'
GO
In above Query you need to keep in mind about .mdf/.ldf file location.
You might get error
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: Directory lookup for the file "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT SQL SERVER\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\DATA\AdventureWorks.MDF" failed with the operating system error 3(The system cannot find the path specified.). (Microsoft.SqlServer.SmoExtended)
So you need to run Query as below
RESTORE FILELISTONLY
FROM DISK = 'D:\AdventureWorks2012.BAK'
Once you will run above Query you will get location of mdf/ldf use it Restore database using query
USE MASTER
GO
RESTORE DATABASE DBASE
FROM DISK = 'D:\AdventureWorks2012.BAK'
WITH
MOVE 'DBASE' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.DBASE\MSSQL\DATA\DBASE.MDF',
MOVE 'DBASE_LOG' TO 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.DBASE\MSSQL\DATA\DBASE_1.LDF',
NOUNLOAD, REPLACE, NOUNLOAD, STATS = 5
GO
Source:Restore database from .bak file in SQL server (With & without scripts)

Answer 8

Simply use
sp_restoredb 'Your Database Name' ,'Location From you want to restore'
Example: sp_restoredb 'omDB','D:\abc.bak'

Answer 9

You can use node package, if you often need to restore databases in development process.
Install:
npm install -g sql-bak-restore
Usage:
sql-bak-restore <bakPath> <dbName> <oldDbName> <owner>
Arguments:
bakpath, relative or absolute path to file
dbName, to which database to restore (!! database with this name will be deleted if exists !!)
oldDbName, database name (if you don't know, specify something and run, you will see available databases after run.)
owner, userName to make and give him db_owner privileges (password "1")
!! sqlcmd command line utility should be in your PATH variable.
https://github.com/vladimirbuskin/sql-bak-restore/