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Restoring from a Differential Backup

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When you restore from a differential database backup, SQL Server restores only the parts of the database that have changed since the last full database backup. SQL Server returns the database to the exact condition it was in when the differential backup was performed.

It often takes less time to restore differential backups than it does to apply a series of transaction log files that represent the same database activity.

Consider the following when you restore from a differential backup:

  • Restore the full database backup before you restore a differential backup.
  • Specify the NORECOVERY option when there are remaining transaction log files to be restored; otherwise, specify the RECOVERY option.

Use the following procedure to restore a database from a differential backup.

To restore a database from a differential backup

  1. In SQL Server Enterprise Manager, expand a server group, and then expand a server.
  2. Expand Databases, right-click the database you want to restore, point to All Tasks, and then click Restore Database.
  3. In the Restore database dialog box, do the following:
    Use this To do this
    Restore as database From the drop-down list, select a database name, or type a new name for the restored database.
    Restore Select Database to restore the database.
    Show backups of database From the drop-down list, select a database.
    First backup to restore From the drop-down list, select the most recent differential backup for the database.
  4. To change the restore from location, click Properties.
  5. In the Backup Set Properties dialog box, click Change.
  6. In the Choose Restore Devices dialog box, click the device name for the restoration, and then click OK.
  7. Click OK to close the Backup Set Properties dialog box.
  8. In the Restore database dialog box, click OK to start the restore process.

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