How can I restore a deleted SQL Server database without a backup?

Applies to: MS SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and earlier versions

1. Q 1. How can I restore a deleted SQL database?
2. Q 2. Can I recover a lost database in SQL Server without a backup?

These are the two main questions asked by most of the MS SQL Server administrators. When a SQL administrator deletes or loses SQL Server database and does not have access to SQL, it could be a disaster if there is no database backup. Here, the software article enlists two effective methods that can help you to restore lost or deleted SQL database without backup using a SQL Recovery Software or manually.

Recover deleted SQL database without backup using File Recovery and MS SQL Recovery software.

With professional file recovery and SQL recovery software, the process of retrieving lost SQL Server databases and even fixing SQL database corruption errors becomes easy and secure.

Firstly, scan and recover the deleted database file.

All you need is to search, test and find a file recovery software for help. The Data Recovery Wizard tool thoroughly scans the SQL Server hard drive on your local computer and recovers deleted database files – MDF or NDF files – in 3 steps:

Step 1: Choose a location to start searching for data.

Step 2: Scan the partition where the SQL Server database file is saved.

Step 3: Preview and recover the deleted database files.

Next, restore the database file to SQL Server.

After you have recovered the MDF or NDF SQL database files, you can re-import them into the database and see if the server runs.

If the answer is yes, congratulations.

If not, then don't worry; probably the database file that was found is corrupted. Even if your MDF or NDF database files are corrupt, there's no need to panic.

A professional MS SQL Recovery tool can help you restore deleted records, including tables, queries, and procedures, with just a few simple steps, and repair corrupted MDF or NDF database files containing deleted content.

Besides, the MS SQL Recovery tool fully supports MS SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, and earlier versions.

Step 1: Select the corrupted database to be recovered

• Launch the MS SQL Recovery tool.
• Select the corrupt database file by clicking on 'Browse' (two dots) or 'Search' option.
• Post selection of the file, click on 'Repair' button to initiate the scanning process.

Note: You must stop the SQL Server service before using this utility.

"Step Two: Repair the corrupted database."

• The software displays all recoverable items in a tree-like structure. These items are listed in the left pane.
• Select the components that you want to retrieve. In the window, click on the Export button.

Step 3: Export to Database or Script

• Choose to export database objects to a database, or to export the project as a script. • If you choose Export to Database, enter the required information and select the target database.

A window will appear, asking you to provide the credentials to connect to the server and the target where the recovery items will be saved. Click OK to start the repair process.

Note: The SQL Server service must be restarted before you click OK.

After recovery and repair of the database, you can save the database files as MDF/NDF and put them back to SQL Server. Then, you can get access to SQL databases and let this powerful server work for your business again.

"Manual methods to recover an SQL database without backup"

If you are familiar with SQL Server commands, you can try the following listed commands to restore a deleted SQL database:

• DBCC CHECKDB (DATABASE_NAME): Checks and repairs the entire database in Command Prompt or Query Editor.
• REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS: Fixes data by reallocating and deallocating rows. (This command removes damaged text, row errors, pages, and columns, which might result in data loss.)
• REPAIR_FAST: Quickly repairs data with minimal changes.
• DBCC CHECKTABLE (TABLE_NAME): Restores a damaged database table in Command Prompt or Query Analyzer.

Note This manual method can be run only in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.

You can run Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio within your system and follow these steps to restore a deleted SQL database:

Step 1: Click the "New Query" button on the toolbar.

Step 2. On the new query page, type the following SQL command:

Execute the following SQL statements: ```sql EXEC sp_resetstatus [DATABASE_NAME]; -- Reset database status ALTER DATABASE [DATABASE_NAME] SET EMERGENCY; -- Set database to emergency mode DBCC CHECKDB ([DATABASE_NAME]); -- Check database integrity ALTER DATABASE [DATABASE_NAME] SET SINGLE_USER WITH ROLLBACK IMMEDIATE; -- Set database to single-user mode and immediately roll back any open transactions DBCC CHECKDB ([DATABASE_NAME], REPAIR_ALLOW_DATA_LOSS); -- Check database and allow data loss repairs ALTER DATABASE [DATABASE_NAME] SET MULTI_USER; -- Set database back to multi-user mode ``` Replace `[DATABASE_NAME]` with the actual name of your database. These commands are used to address severe issues in a database, especially possible data corruption. Before executing these operations, make sure you have the latest backup of your database, as some actions might result in data loss.

Step 3: Click "Execute" to start the recovery process.

Be patient – the longer it takes, the more corruption there is in your database.

Thus, if the process doesn't work properly, you would still need to resort to automated methods or an SQL repair tool.

Reminder: Backup MS SQL Server databases regularly

This way, you can repair and restore deleted SQL database. But that's not all.

As a wise SQL administrator, you should regularly back up your SQL databases. You can choose to do it manually or use an automated SQL Server backup software for assistance.

If you haven't decided which SQL backup software to choose to protect your databases, you can try using Todo Backup Advanced Server, which supports free SQL database backup manually and automatically.