MS SQL Server is an essential application for an organization as all the critical data are stored in it. In today’s world, it became the necessity of all the organizations whether they are small or large. It is the best and successful relational DBMS that provides highly integrated services to manipulate the database over the server.
SQL Server uses different types of database files i.e MDF file also known as primary database file, which is utilized to save all the data including tables, stored procedures, functions, indexes, etc. and another is log file (.ldf), which saves all the transactional information of the MDF file. There are many times when users want to transfer SQL MDF file to another server. For this, it is required to have a backup of the SQL database but in case, the user does not have backup or the backup gets corrupt or damaged then it becomes a headache for the user.
Therefore in the following segment, we are going to discuss some workarounds that will help users to transfer SQL MDF file to another server with or without backup.
So, let’s see,
How to Transfer SQL MDF File to Another Server
Here, we have described methods to export data from SQL MDF file to another server with or without backup.
1. Manual method (with backup)
2. Professional method (without backup)
Let’s explore each workaround in a detailed manner.
Method 1. Export Data From SQL MDF to Another Server With Backup
Step 1. Open SQL Server Management Studio on your machine. Right-click the Database and then click the Restore Database option.
Step 2. In Source for restore, select From Device option and click the browse button.
Step 3. Click Add in the Specify Backup window. Browse the location and then choose Full Backup file.
Step 4. The specify Backup window displays, click OK.
Step 5. In Destination for restore, select the Database you want to restore and in the backup sets to restore a section, select the backup file you have selected above.
Step 6. Now, in the restore option, you can select any option according to your need and press the OK button.
Done! the Restoration is completed.
Method 2. Professional Way to Transfer SQL MDF File to Another Server
If you want an easy and direct solution to transfer SQL MDF file to another server then you can take the help of an Enterprise-Grade Level professional software PCVITA SQL Database Repair. This software has the potential to export SQL MDF from one server to another server without losing a single bit of data. By using this software, users can also recover the permanently deleted table records and database objects without any hassle.
Moreover, the graphical user interface of this software so is simple and easy to use so that every user can use the software. Easily. In addition to this, the software is compatible with MS SQL Server 2019, 2017, 2016, and it’s below versions.
Steps to Transfer SQL MDF File to Another Server
Step 1. Download and Run the tool on your system and click Open to load the MDF file which you want to transfer.
Step 2. Choose a scan mode then select the SQL Server version of the selected MDF file and hit OK button.
Step 3. Preview the database which you want to transfer and click on Export to begin the process.
Step 4. Now, choose the Export to SQL Server Database option.
Step 5. Software will fetch the SQL Server Names, select the name by clicking on the drop-down arrow and then select the Windows Authentication if you are using Windows Authentication to access the database.
Step 6. After that, select destination database as Export to Existing Database or Create a New Database.
Step 7. Software will fetch the database components and let you select the data which you want to move. Finally hit the Export.
Done! You have completed the task to transfer SQL MDF file to another server.
Wrapping Up:
In the above blog, we have discussed two different techniques to transfer SQL MDF to another server. The manual method described above required a backup of the SQL database and does not work sometimes. Thus, users can opt for the automated solution for quick and 100% accurate and successful results.
As you can conclude from the above steps, automated solution is easy and simple to transfer SQL MDF to another server. You only need to load the database MDF file into the software, the rest process is automated. Moreover, you do not need database backup for the process.
Summary: Do you want to know how to transfer SQL MDF file to another server. If yes! Then, read the blog and learn how to export data from SQL MDF file to another server by using efficient and quick solutions.