How to Restore MDF Files From BAK Files

Summary: If you’ve ever worked with SQL Server backups, you know how valuable those .bak files are. They’re your backup plan when something goes wrong, whether the system crashes or the data gets corrupted. But when it comes to restore MDF files from BAK files, things can get a bit difficult if you’re not familiar with SQL Server Management Studio. A lot of people try restoring it through SSMS, but sometimes that doesn’t work. That’s where a dedicated SQL Backup Repair Tool can help. It’s designed to scan .bak files and recover MDF files.
In this blog, we’ll cover both the manual method and a tool that can make your life easier, especially when manual steps are difficult to perform. Download Now Purchase Now

Why You Might Need to Repair MDF Files from BAK Files

Restoring your MDF file from a .bak isn’t something most of us plan for, but when things go sideways, that backup might be the only thing that saves you. Here are a few real-life reasons why you might end up needing it:

• Someone accidentally deleted the original database files, and there’s no other backup lying around.
• The SQL database got corrupted due to a sudden power cut or a hard drive issue.
• The server crashed, and while the MDF files are gone, the .bak file is still safe.
• You’re shifting the database to a new machine or server and need a clean restore point.

That .bak file can be a lifesaver, but only if you know how to use it right.

Different Techniques to Restore MDF Files from BAK Files

Restoring MDF from a BAK file can be done in various ways. You can do it manually by using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) or by using a professional tool. Let’s see how it can be done:

Manual Techniques to Restore MDF Files From Backup Files

If your .bak file is in good shape, you don’t necessarily need any third-party software to get your MDF back. Below are two solid ways to do it manually through the SSMS interface or by running a simple SQL script.

Method 1: Restore MDF Files Using SQL Server Management Studio

This is the most common way to restore MDF files from BAK files, and it works best when the backup is clean and not corrupted. Follow the steps to complete the process:

1. Firstly, start your SQL Server application and connect to the server you’re working with.
2. Afterward, on the left side, right-click on Databases and select Restore Database from the menu.
3. To proceed, in the restore window, select the Device option and press the small browse (…) button next to it.
4. Further, Hit Add, find your .bak file on your computer, select it, and press OK.
5. Once the file loads, tick the checkbox next to the backup set to select it.
6. Later, head over to the Files tab if you need to change where the MDF files will be stored.
7. Then, go to the Options tab and check the box for Overwrite the existing database if you’re replacing an old one.
8. Lastly, select OK to begin the restoration. You’ll get a message once the process finishes successfully.

Note: Remember, no other process is using the database during restore, or you might hit a restore error.

Method 2: Restore MDF Files from BAK Files Using T-SQL Command

This method is a little bit advanced on but it gives you more control if you’re comfortable writing SQL queries. Let’s see how it gets done:

1. Firstly, start SSMS and connect to your database server.
2. After that, select New Query from the toolbar.
3. Next, to check the logical names of the MDF files in your .bak, run:

RESTORE FILELISTONLY FROM DISK = ‘C:\Backups\your-backup.bak’;

1. Later, once you get the logical names, use them in the following query to perform the restore:

RESTORE DATABASE YourDatabaseName FROM DISK = ‘C:\Backups\your-backup.bak’ WITH MOVE ‘LogicalMDFName’ TO ‘C:\Data\YourDatabaseName.mdf’, MOVE ‘LogicalLDFName’ TO ‘C:\Data\YourDatabaseName_log.ldf’, REPLACE;

1. Further, Hit Execute, and SQL Server will begin the restoration.
2. Lastly, after the process finishes, your database and MDF file will be available.

Note: Always double-check the file paths and logical names to avoid restore errors.

Downsides of the Manual Method

• If the .bak file is even damaged, the manual method won’t work at all.
• You need to know what you’re doing, like understanding file names, restore paths, and database basics.
• There’s a real risk of overwriting your existing database if you’re not careful with the settings
• It won’t recover much if you created the backup while the database had issues or didn’t complete the process.

Professional Technique to Restore MDF Files From BAK Files

When the manual methods don’t work either because the .bak file is corrupted, or the process throws constant errors. A professional tool can save you a lot of time and effort. A trustworthy SQL Recovery Tool is built specifically for situations like this. It can recover MDF and LDF files from a backup, even if that backup isn’t in perfect condition. Plus, it doesn’t require much technical knowledge, which makes it a great option for both beginners and IT admins who just want a quick, no-risk recovery.

Now, follow the steps to recover a corrupted BAK file:

1. Initially, start the SQL Backup Tool and add your .bak file. If it’s a split backup, add all parts.
2. After that, select a scanning mode, Standard or Advanced, based on file condition.
3. Further, set the destination path where you want to save the recovered data.
4. To proceed, press the Select Extract File to begin extracting the contents.
5. Later, select the correct database name from the list and select OK.
6. Finally, preview the recovered data, then hit Save to complete the process.

Conclusion

To conclude, restore MDF files from BAK files seems difficult at first, but with the right approach, it’s totally doable. If the backup is healthy, the manual methods can get the job done. But when things don’t go as planned, like dealing with corruption or backup errors, a professional tool can make a big difference. It makes the process easy and helps you recover your database without any stress. Also, experts recommend using a professional tool.

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