This section describes how to restore a SQL Server database in dbForge Studio. It explains the different restore types (full, differential, and transaction log backups), restore scenarios (same database, different name, or new server), and the required sequence for performing complete database recovery.
You can perform different restore types depending on the available backup files and your recovery goals.
| Restore type | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full backup restore | Restores the entire database as it existed at the time of the backup, including all objects and data. | Serves as the base for differential and transaction log restores. |
| Differential backup restore | Restores only the data that changed since the last full backup. | Requires restoring the related full backup with NORECOVERY first. |
| Transaction log backup restore | Restores transactions recorded after the last full or differential backup to achieve point-in-time recovery. | Transaction log backups must be restored in the order they were created, using NORECOVERY for all but the final restore, which should use the WITH RECOVERY option. |
You can also choose where and how to restore your database. These options are available for any backup type:
| Scenario | Description |
|---|---|
| Restore to a different database name | Restores the backup under a new database name on the same SQL Server instance. Useful for preserving the original database or testing backup integrity. |
| Restore to a new server | Restores a backup file to another SQL Server instance for migration or environment duplication. The target server must be running an equal or newer SQL Server version. |
To perform a complete recovery, restore backups in the following order:
1. Restore the full backup WITH NORECOVERY.
2. Optionally, restore the differential backup created after the full backup WITH NORECOVERY. If the differential backup is the final step in your restoration and you do not plan to restore transaction log backups, restore it WITH RECOVERY instead.
3. Optionally, restore one or more transaction log backups in the order they were created, each WITH NORECOVERY except for the last one, which should be restored WITH RECOVERY to bring the database online.