Guides & tools
Backup guides that fix real problems
Step-by-step instructions for SQL Server and file backup, written for the person who has to make it work tonight. Every guide shows the free, manual way first.
Free tools
Free toolSQL Server backup script generatorGenerate a ready-to-run SQL Server backup script, batch file, Task Scheduler command and cleanup script. Free, runs in your browser, nothing is uploaded.
Free toolBackup storage calculatorEstimate how much storage your backup schedule needs: full, differential and incremental sizes, retention, compression and off-site copies.
SQL Server backup
How to schedule automatic SQL Server Express backupsSQL Server Express has no SQL Agent. Schedule automatic backups with a T-SQL script, sqlcmd and Windows Task Scheduler, add cleanup, and verify every run.9 min read
How to back up a SQL Server databaseBack up a SQL Server database with SSMS or T-SQL: full, differential and transaction log backups, COPY_ONLY, CHECKSUM, compression and naming conventions.8 min read
Restore
How to restore a SQL Server database from a .bak fileRestore a SQL Server .bak file with SSMS or T-SQL: restore under a new name, move data files, and apply differential and log backups in order.8 min read
How to verify a SQL Server backup is restorableA backup you have not restored is a hope, not a backup. Use CHECKSUM, RESTORE VERIFYONLY, test restores and DBCC CHECKDB to prove backups work.6 min read
Troubleshooting
SQL Server backup failed: causes and fixesWhy a SQL Server backup failed: permissions, missing paths, disk space, database state, network shares and log chain errors, with the fix for each.8 min read
Fix SQL Server error 3201: operating system error 5 (access denied)Error 3201 with OS error 5 means the SQL Server service account cannot write to the backup path. Find that account and grant the right permissions.5 min read
Fix SQL Server error 3241: media family is incorrectly formedError 3241 on restore usually means a version mismatch or a damaged .bak file. Check versions, re-copy in binary mode, and test the file before restoring.5 min read
Fix SQL Server restore errors 3154 and 3159Errors 3154 and 3159 block a restore over an existing database. Restore under a new name, take a tail-log backup, or use REPLACE only when you mean it.5 min read
Fix SQL Server error 4214: no current database backupError 4214 means the log chain has no full backup to start from. Take a full backup, then log backups work again. Learn what breaks the chain.4 min read
Off-site & cloud
How to back up SQL Server to Google Drive automaticallyThree ways to send SQL Server backups to Google Drive automatically: Drive for desktop, rclone with Task Scheduler, or a tool with a Drive destination.7 min read
How to back up SQL Server to an FTP or FTPS serverCopy SQL Server backups to an off-site FTP or FTPS server on a schedule using WinSCP scripting, with transfer checks and why FTPS beats plain FTP.7 min read
Backup fundamentals
Full vs differential vs incremental backupHow full, differential and incremental backups differ in size, speed and restore steps, how SQL Server log backups fit in, and which to choose.6 min read
Backup retention and the 3-2-1 ruleDecide how many backups to keep and where: the 3-2-1 rule, grandfather-father-son retention, ransomware considerations and a sample policy for SQL Server.6 min read
Business software
Comparisons
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