Restoring a Database Using Full and Differential Backups

Last update on September 25 2025 07:23:39 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

Write a SQL query to restore a database using both full and differential backups.

Solution:

-- Restore the full backup first.
RESTORE DATABASE MyDatabase
FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabase_Full.bak'
WITH NORECOVERY;

-- Restore the differential backup.
RESTORE DATABASE MyDatabase
FROM DISK = 'C:\Backups\MyDatabase_Diff.bak'
WITH RECOVERY;

Explanation:

Purpose of the Query :

The goal is to demonstrate how to restore a database using both full and differential backups.

Key Components :

WITH NORECOVERY: Leaves the database in a restoring state for additional backups.
WITH RECOVERY: Brings the database online after the final restoration step.

Why Use Combined Restores?:

Combining full and differential backups reduces recovery time compared to restoring from a full backup alone.
It ensures minimal data loss.

Real-World Application :

In production environments, this approach restores databases quickly after failures.

Notes:

Always restore backups in the correct order: full → differential → transaction logs (if applicable).
Test restoration procedures to ensure compatibility.
Ensure backups are valid and accessible before restoration.

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

Write a SQL query to restore a database named "SalesDB" using a full backup and a subsequent differential backup.
Write a SQL query to restore a database named "HRDatabase" from a full backup and a differential backup, ensuring the database remains offline until restoration is complete.
Write a SQL query to restore a database named "InventoryDB" using a full backup and a differential backup, and then apply transaction log backups for point-in-time recovery.
Write a SQL query to restore a database named "FinanceDB" from a full backup and a differential backup, and bring the database online immediately after restoration.

Go to:

PREV : Creating a Differential Backup.
NEXT : Creating a Transaction Log Backup.

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