How to Restore MDF File SQL Server | A Complete Guide

Summary: An MDF or primary database file in SQL Server stores database schema and data. It is an essential component of SQL databases. Sometimes, SQL databases face errors and may break down for any unexpected reason, resulting in data loss. At such time, if you do not want to use the restore option, recover from the MDF file. This blog outlines different suitable solutions to restore MDF file SQL Server. Also, it states a SysInfo SQL Database Recovery Tool to recover the database without manual hassle quickly.

But before we dive into the methods, let’s understand the need to recover the MDF file.

Some essential reasons to repair corrupt MDF files to restore the data are mentioned here:

• Retrieve data back from loss in case of accidental deletion or corruption.
• Database recovery from hardware failures or sudden system crashes.
• In case of migration to a new SQL server or database environment.
• To revert the changes made in error or rollback to a previous state.
• Restoring data for compliance, legal, and auditing purposes.
• To import an orphaned MDF file to the SQL Server database.

Which Techniques Restore MDF File SQL Server?

Restoring data from an MDF file in SQL databases is a common data management task and has several ways. There are three solutions to restore the data from SQL Server via MDF/NDF/ or LDF files. These solutions comprise two manual ways using the SSMS and T-SQL and a professional tool suitable for all SQL versions. Furthermore, whichever method you choose is up to you, but ensure the following prerequisites:

• Detach the database from the SQL Server beforehand to avoid errors.
• Keep MDF and LDF files at the same location, such as C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL FILES\DATA.

MS SQL Restore Database from MDF File Manually

There are two ways, as stated above, using the management studio and transact queries to repair MDF files in SQL Server. Below are the steps that you must follow:

Method 1: Restore MDF File SQL Server Database with SSMS

1. Run the SQL Server Management Studio and browse to Object Explorer.
2. Right-click on the database to restore and click Attach from the list.
3. Further, in the Attach Database window, press Add to search for MDF files.
4. Locate and select the MDF files from the system and press OK.
5. After that, check the details for the LDF/MDF files in the SSMS and click OK.
6. Your data is restored successfully. If you cannot see it, refresh the database.

Method 2: Restore Database from MDF File by T-SQL Queries

1. Open the SQL Server database engine and connect your database.
2. Then, click New Query in the SSMS window, and a query editor opens up.
3. There, type the following query and press Enter:

CREATE DATABASE namedb

ON

(

FILENAME = 'path where you copied MDF/LDF files',

)

FOR attach_rebuild_log;

GO

4. In the end, open the Object Explorer and refresh the database to see the restored MDF.

If the above methods don’t work for you, do not worry. There’s still an expert solution available that helps to restore the data effectively.

Dedicated Software to Restore MDF File SQL Server

If the manual solutions seem tricky or time-consuming and you feel that the data is at risk. Then, opt for the SysInfo SQL Database Recovery Tool. It is an excellent utility and trusted solution to recover MDF file data. The tool provides two recovery options and has no limitations on the size of the MDF file. Additionally, you can save the recovered data in a new database on the server or as scripts on the system. Moreover, the tool needs no technical expertise, unlike the manual methods, and runs on all Windows OS. Besides that, with a few simple clicks, you can recover the entire file data at once.

Steps to Restore Database from MDF File

1. Run the SQL Server Database Recovery Tool and click Open from the standard bar.
2. Press (...) to browse the MDF file, select it, and click Open to add. 
3. Further, choose the recovery mode and other options. Then, click OK.
4. Preview the database of the MDF file in the panel after the scanning.
5. Afterward, select the folders to recover and click on Save SQL Data.
6. Choose to restore data and Save it in a Database or as SQL Compatible Scripts.
7. Specify the details as per the destination and choose filters. At last, click OK.

With these clicks, you can easily recover data from any MDF file, damaged or corrupted, without any hassle.

Conclusion

The blog is a complete guide on how to restore an MDF file SQL Server with three reliable solutions. The manual methods (SSMS and T-SQL) are easy and do not have many steps, but they take time. Also, you need to install SSMS and have a stable internet connection. Despite these, there is no guarantee of accurate data recovery. So, a professional tool is best to recover data from an MDF file in an SQL server accurately and safely.