How to Import/Open BAK File in SQL Server? Verified Solutions

Summary: This article explains what a BAK file is, why it is needed, and how to import BAK file into SQL Server. As all know, users will create a backup file(.bak) to store the backup of the Microsoft SQL Server. However, there are different reasons that insist users to restore the .bak file in SQL Server. So, you can use the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio or Aryson SQL Backup Recovery Tool to easily import single or multiple BAK file data into SQL Server 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005. Download Now   Purchase Now

What is a BAK file in SQL Server?

MS SQL Server is a popular relational database management system provided by Microsoft. It allows users to manage their data by fetching needful data from the database and reuploading them when needed again. For more data backup, you can save the MS SQL database data into a single file on your computer, and these backup files have names ending with the “. bak” file extension. In addition, you can also restore database data from the BAK files.

That’s all. Now, we move on to the solution part that helps users import Backup BAK files in SQL Server.

02 Possible Ways to Import BAK File into SQL Server

In this segment, we will describe two simple and effective ways for importing BAK files in SQL Server 2019, 2017, and 2016 and the versions below. Moreover, you must perform the following steps correctly to complete the process successfully.

Method 1: Import BAK File in SQL Server Using SSMS

Using the SQL Server Management Studio, you can import BAK files in SQL Server. Follow the steps below correctly:-

1. Start SQL Server Management Studio and get connected with the SQL Server Database Engine.
2. Now, right-click on Databases and select Restore Database.
3. In the Restore Database wizard, select From Device button and click the …. box.
4. In the Specify Backup wizard, click the Add button.
5. Here, select the database backup folder and choose the .bak file.
6. Go to Select; the backup sets to restore, check in the Restore Box and click the OK button.
7. Soon all your BAK files data is imported into SQL Server.

The above methods will help you import BAK files into SQL Server, but not when the BAK file is corrupted or damaged. The SQL Server Management Studio does not support the corrupt BAK, and it will not help you import those files into Microsoft SQL Server.

Method 2: Import BAK File to MS SQL Server Database, Which Got Corrupted

Once you have a backup of the SQL Server database in the .bak file that may get corrupted or damaged, there is no manual recovery method. So, the possible way is to repair the corrupt SQL Database Backup file(.bak) using the SQL Backup Recovery Software. This tool will help you to repair a corrupt SQL Database BAK file and directly import the restored data into the Microsoft SQL Server. In addition, it supports the BAK file of the SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, etc.

Simple Steps to Repair BAK Files to Import Them into SQL Server

1. Start the SQL Backup Recovery Software on your computer.
2. Click the Browse Button and choose the BAK file you want to recover.
3. Here, you will find two options to manage the SQL backup file(.bak) Single Backup File or Split Backup File(s).
4. Use the Software Navigation button to add or remove BAK Files
5. Is Selected File(s) Compressed:- Enable this option if your added File (s) is compressed.
6. The software shows you the two scanning modes: Standard or Advanced.
7. Now, browse the saving location where you want to download the resultant files.
8. Click on the Extract Files button to continue further.
9. A tab pop-ups on your screen, displaying the message: Please ensure Temporary and saving Location has free space 3 times the actual database file(s).
10. Next, you will find the details of the added database; select it and click OK.
11. The software displays Backup file information like Server Name, Creation Date, Backup Start Date, Backup Finish Date, Database ID, etc.
12. Finally, click the Save button to extract .mdf & .ldf files from the .bak file.

Once you have extracted .mdf & .ldf files from the .bak file, you need to use the SQL Database Recovery Software, which allows users to import MDF and NDF files into SQL Server Database.

Why is this Software Most Recommended to Fix SQL Server Backup .bak file Corruption?

• Allows users to repair corrupt SQL Backup Files(.bak) and provide SQL Server compatible files.
• Capable of extracting MDF and NDF files from the corrupt BAK file without losing integrity.
• Option to recover SQL data from a corrupt split backup or compressed .bak files.
• It offers two scanning modes to manage corrupt/healthy SQL Backup files(.bak).
• No SQL backup BAK file size limitation to repair corrupt files.
• Support all the SQL Server 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 R2, 2008 and 2005.
• It supports all Windows versions like 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, XP, etc.

Conclusion

If you have a healthy MDF file and want to import them into the Microsoft SQL Server Database, you can easily do that with the help of the above-described manual method. However, suppose your SQL Server Backup BAK file is corrupted. In that case, you need to use the third-party solution, which allows users to repair a corrupt BAK file easily and import extracted MDF and LDF files into SQL Server.

Frequently Asked Questions

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