How to Import BAK File in SQL Server 2014, 2012?

In today’s blog, we will cover the most searched query “How to import BAK file in SQL Server?”. Users can easily create a backup of SQL database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio or Transact-SQL in a .bak file. But, when restoring the database from .bak in SQL Server, users face many problems such as errors in SQL BAK File, corrupt BAK file, unreadable backup file, and many more. To solve all these problems, here, we will explain the step by step solution to restore .bak file in SQL Server. So, let’s start the process.

Possible Reasons – Why Users Unable To Restore .BAK File?

There can be many reasons when users are not able to add .bak to SQL Server Database. Some of them are-

• The user trying to restore a new version database to the old version. Like, you can create a backup of SQL Server 2014 and restore them to SQL 2008. There is no possibility to restore the database to an older version. Users can not able to import BAK files in SQL Server.
• When the SQL Backup file is corrupted due to any reason, you cannot restore the database from .bak file to SQL Server.

Import BAK File in SQL Server Using SQL Server Management Studio

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the SQL Server Database Engine
2. Right-click on Databases and select Restore Database
3. From the Restore Database window, select From Device button and click the …. box
4. Now, the Specify Backup window will appear, click Add button
5. In the Locate Backup File, select the database backup folder and choose .bak file
6. Under Select, the backup sets to restore, check-in the Restore Box and click the OK button.

Can SQL Server Management Studio Restore Corrupted BAK File?

If the SQL Server backup file is corrupted or inaccessible due to some reasons, it can not repair with the SSMS software application. This application only restores a healthy .bak file in SQL Server Database. In such a case, you need to go with the professional software i.e SQL Server Backup Recovery Software. This software will help you to repair SQL Server corrupt backup files with all data items.

One-Stop Solution to Import BAK File in SQL Server 2014, 2012

The SQL BAK file repair tool is the best utility that helps you to repair corrupt SQL .bak files and restore .bak files within a few simple steps. It supports all Microsoft SQL Server editions like SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, etc. The application is able to recover all data from BAK file which includes MDF, NDF & LDF database files. Using this software, you can effortlessly repair & restore 1 TB of SQL .bak file without any trouble or size limitations. It helps to fix corrupted BAK files and export recovered data in SQL Server Database.

Steps to Repair & Restore SQL Database from Backup File

Follow all the given steps to repair the corrupt SQL Backup File and import BAK file in SQL Server Database.

Step 1. In the beginning, Download, install and run the software on your Windows machine

Step 2. Click Open >> Browse button to load .bak file

Step 3. Select the version of SQL Server .bak file

Step 4. Click on the Multiple Backup File Option to restore multiple .bak files

Step 5. After selecting the files, click on the Recover button to start the recovery of corrupted backup file

Step 6. The tool will display the preview of data items after recovery, click on the Export button

Step 7. Under the Export option, choose export to SQL Server Database. Enter the required information like Server Name, User Name, and password

Step 8. Under the Select Destination Database, choose between “Create New database” to restore SQL BAK in New Database and “Export to Existing Database” to restore .bak file in existing SQL database.

Step 9. Choose the Export options, Export with schema or export with schema & data according to your choice

Step 10. Finally, Hit on the Export button to begin the process of restoring the database from BAK file in MS SQL Server.

This is the easiest and most successful method to repair damaged SQL backup file and import BAK file in SQL Server 2014, 2012, 2008, 2008 R2 and other editions with all database objects like tables, views, functions, triggers, etc.

Also Read: SQL Server Master Database Corruption 

Conclusion

Backup helps to preserve old data and prevents virus attacks on the system. But, if the backup is damaged, this is the worst situation for everyone. A large number of users are looking for a solution to repair corrupt SQL .bak file. So, to solve this problem, we mentioned the best and most reliable solution that helps you to import BAK file in SQL Server 2014, 2012, 2008, and other versions.