How to backup and Restore a complete database in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio ?

INTRODUCTION

      In this article I have explained the complete way to backup a database in MSSQL with screenshots.Its really important to backup our database before performing crucial tasks like formatting our system etc.Still,Its not a difficult as many of us assume.(Initially I  too assumed that it was a big task and thought it might ruin my full day but I wondered at last that I completed backup in seconds :D I will make you people too wonder with this article) Here are the list of steps.. 

   

Note: I have explained as per the version of MSSQL 2012 .

STEPS TO BACKUP A DATABASE:

•    STEP 1:

  Right click the database you wish to backup.Select Tasks and select backup

• STEP 2: 

A pop up opens as below and without performing any changes click on "add"

• STEP 3:  

     Leave the destination folder as such because the default one would be the one "backup" folder (It will be under the folder where you had installed your MSSQL).For the safer side,let your  backup get saved under "backup" folder itself

• STEP 4:  

   Click on 'OK' and you will get a popup regarding the status of your backup(success or failure)

STEPS TO RESTORE YOUR DATABASE:

• STEP 1:

     To restore the database,Right click database and select restore

• STEP 2:

   A pop up appears as below .As a default database will be selected but you need to choose 'device' as your backup file resides only on your device.Direct it to the folder where you have saved your backup file(It will be under backup folder as a default) If you had saved in some other folder then direct it accordingly.

                                                                                 

• STEP 3:

   Click on 'OK' and your database file is successfully restored now.!!

CONCLUSION:

         

    So here it is!! You have successfully made a backup and restored it in you database!! Wasn't it easy? :) Make sure you do backup on a regular basis and if possible take the screen shots of your tables and stored procedures. I took a backup of database in  a wrong way still I had my screenshots with me and so got my db back .So,I felt like sharing the right way to take the backup :)

    Hope this article is helpful to you..!! Leave out your valuable feedback and help me improvise !! Stay updated with my upcoming articles !! 

   Happy coding :)