Database is the body which accumulates, manages and processes the data. SQL is short for Structured Query Language and is used to insert, search, delete or update the database. It is very important to have its regular backup as it has the valuable data. In this blog, we are going to show you the step by step guide to restore BAK file in SQL server 2012. Also, we will discuss how to repair corrupt SQL backup file and how to restore Backup file using professional SQL Server BAK File Repair Tool.
Why to Restore SQL Backup File?
Through backups, data can be restored from an earlier point in time to help the business recover from an unplanned event. As long as you have the regular backup of a database, you can recover your data from failures like media failure, user errors, hardware failures or natural disasters.
There can be some other errors as well like abrupt termination, database connection errors, transient errors, database copy issues, malicious software attack.
Restore BAK File in SQL Server 2012 Using SQL Server Management Studio?
SQL database performs Full, Differential, and File or Filegroup database backup using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
Step 1. Connect to the Server. Go to the Object Explorer and click at the name of the Server.
Step 2. Open a database and after that select the User Database.
Step 3. Right click on the database and click Tasks >> Backup >> Restore to open a dialog box.
Step 4. Restore Database window opens.
Step 5. Specify the backup and select the BAK file. Click OK.
Step 6. The selected .BAK file will be listed on the Database restore window
Step 7. Before restoring the backup, select Options:
*Overwrite the existing database
*Preserve the replication settings
*Prompt before restoring each backup
*Restrict access to the restored database.
Step 8. The most important part of Restore operation is its Recovery State. There are three options to select from. Choose as per your need.
Step 9. Progress will be shown in bottom left side of the screen
Step 10. A dialog box saying restore of database is completed successfully will appear. Click OK.
The manual approach to restore SQL backup file is lengthy and time-consuming. Downtime to restore the database from the BAK file is unavoidable, but, you can cut down the duration with the help of a specialized SQL database recovery software. Such software needs selection of the database to scan, repair, and finally save it at a desired location. There is another issue that often arises when you restore or open SQL BAK file. It is the situation when the database is struck in restoring state. No other SQL operations works on the database.
What to do if Restore SQL Backup File Process Fails With SSMS?
Sometimes users are unable to restore BAK file in SQL server 2012 due to some errors or corruption issue. SQL Server Management Studio only helps the users to restore the files which are in healthy state. Now, the real problem arises when the BAK file is corrupted. In order to get rid of that situation SysTools SQL Backup Recovery Tool helps you to repair corrupt SQL backup file and restore them in SQL Server Database. Using this software, you can easily open SQL BAK file in SQL Server 2012, 2014, 2016, and so on.
Restore BAK File in SQL Server 2012 Using a Tool
Step 1. Download and Install SQL BAK File Repair tool.
Step 2. Click Open and Browse a file to load SQL backup file.
![Open and browse](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/sql-backup-recovery.png)
Step 3. Click on the Multiple Backup Files Option to add multiple SQL backup files.
![Restore Multiple BAK File](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/auto-detect.png)
Step 4. Click Recover to start recovery of corrupt backup file.
![Recovery of BAK File](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/recover-bak-data.png)
Step 5. After this the software will give you the complete review of the scanned files. Click on Export button to Export the items as per your need.
![Review of the scanned files](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/export-all-data.png)
Step 6. This software will provide you 2 options to export: SQL Server Database and SQL Server Compatible SQL Scripts
![Options to export](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/export-option.png)
Step 7. Select Destination database.
Step 8. Choose the export option: With Only Schema/ With Schema and Data.
![Export with Schema and Data](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/with-schema-data.png)
Step 9. Click on the Export button.
![Export Button](https://www.systoolsgroup.com/img/how-it-work/sql-backup-recovery/export-deleted-records.png)
This is how you can instantly Restore BAK File in SQL Server 2012 without any file size limitations.
Features of BAK File Recovery Software
- The application comes with user-friendly interface so that any kind of users easily restore SQL backup file.
- Allows you to recover complete data from the multiple SQL backup files.
- Supports to recover MDF and NDF database file which stored in BAK files.
- Enables to repair corrupt SQL backup file and directly export to SQL Server Database.
- Supports BAK file of SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014 and other below versions.
- Compatible with all Windows OS versions, so you can open SQL BAK file in Windows 10, 8, 7, etc.
Conclusion
Maintaining the SQL Database in the healthy and runnable state, is the priority of SQL Admin. Thus, if there are any conflicts, then, they should be resolved quickly by using the relevant SQL server database restoration process. In this blog, we mentioned the complete process of how to Restore BAK File in SQL Server 2012 using SSMS. Also, discussed the best way to repair corrupt SQL backup file using professional tool.