Restoring a database backup

This topic describes how to restore a database from a full database or differential database backup.

To restore a database backup

  1. Browse for the backup images you want to restore.

  2. In the Restore Microsoft SQL Server Objects dialog box, expand the database instance.

  3. Expand the database.

  4. Select the database image that you want to restore, as follows:

    • To restore a full backup, select the image of the database backup.

    • To restore a full backup and a differential database backup, click the "+" and select a differential backup.

      The full backup is automatically selected when you select a differential.

  5. Select the restore options.

    To place the database in recovery mode so that it is immediately usable following the restore, select Recovered from the Recovery list. However, be aware that after the database is placed in recovered mode, you cannot update it with additional differential or transaction log backups.

    Restore Microsoft SQL Server Objects field descriptions

  6. Click Restore.

  7. To view the progress of the restore, select File > View status.

More Information

Browsing for backup images