Restoring a master database in SQL Server 2008/2012 can be a critical process, especially if you don't have a backup. However, it's important to note that without a backup, the chances of a successful recovery might be limited. Here are the general steps to follow if you do have a backup: 1. **Take the SQL Server offline**: Before starting any restoration process, ensure that the SQL Server instance is stopped to prevent any data corruption or loss. 2. **Backup current master database (if possible)**: If your SQL Server instance still allows connections, make a copy of the existing `master.mdf` and `mastlog.ldf` files. This can be useful if the restore fails, and you need to revert to the original state. 3. **Locate backup files**: Find the backup files for the `master` database. These would typically be `.bak` files. 4. **Restore the database**: Use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) to restore the `master` database. In Object Explorer, right-click on 'Databases', choose 'Restore Database', then provide the source backup file path. Make sure to select 'Overwrite the existing database' option. 5. **Set recovery mode**: Ensure the recovery mode is set to 'Full' or 'Simple' depending on your needs. 6. **Point-to-Timeline Recovery (if applicable)**: If you have transaction logs, you can use Point-in-Time recovery to restore the database to a specific point. 7. **Start the SQL Server**: After the restore is complete, start the SQL Server instance. If you **don't** have a backup, your options are significantly more limited, and you may need to contact a data recovery specialist or rely on system logs if feasible. Always remember to regularly back up your databases to avoid such situations in the future.

Works with MS SQL Server 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, 2008 R2, and 2005

The primary database file, i.e. the .MDF file, is the principal user database file of SQL Server that stores all crucial configuration details and main data. In case the SQL Server gets corrupted due to an unexpected shutdown, crash, or virus attack, the primary database file gets affected. In such a scenario, recovering MDF files is the ultimate solution to fix the issue.

How to Restore a SQL Server Master Database with or without a Backup

When you need to restore the master database in SQL Server 2008 or 2012, there are usually two solutions. One is to restore the SQL Server master database from a backup file, and the other is to restore the MDF file without using a backup. Depending on your situation, choose one of these two different methods to solve the problem.

Solution 1: Restore the Master Database in SQL Server from a Backup File

If you have a backup of the master database for your SQL Server, restoring an MDF file is not complicated.

Step 1: Set your SQL Server instance to single-user mode.

• Log on as an administrator to the SQL server > Go to Administrative Tools > Services, right-click the SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) service, and click Stop.
• Double-click SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER) to open the Service Properties window.
• Click the General tab, and in the Startup parameters field, type -c -m.
• Click Start on the General tab to set the server to single-user mode, and then click OK to close the dialog box.

Step 2: Run the Transact-SQL command to restore the master database on the SQL Server.

RESTORE DATABASE Master FROM DISK = 'D:\Backup\Database.bak' WITH REPLACE

The “replace” instruction indicates that if a database with the same name already exists, the restore process should continue and the existing database should be removed.

Step 3: Set Microsoft SQL Server to multi-user mode.

When the master database restore is complete, the SQL Server instance will shut down. Before restarting the server, you must remove the single-user startup parameter and set Microsoft SQL Server to multi-user mode.

• Log on to the SQL Server as an administrator.
• Go to Administrative Tools > Services, right-click the following services, and then click Start:

SQL Server (MSSQLSERVER)

SQL Server Agent (MSSQLSERVER)

SQL Server Reporting Services (MSSQLSERVER)

Step 4. Restart the SQL Server instance and perform any additional recovery tasks as needed.

Solution 2: Recover SQL Server Master Database Without Backup File

If you are new to SQL Server, have insufficient knowledge of SQL databases, or have never created a backup before, you can also use professional MS SQL Recovery tool to restore the master database in SQL Server. It can recover MDF files along with their components (tables, triggers, indexes, keys, rules, and stored procedures), as well as records deleted from an SQL database.

• Repair corrupt MDF and NDF files of SQL Server database.
• Recover deleted records from MS SQL Server database.
• Restore components of SQL Server database: Tables, Triggers, Indexes, Keys, Rules, and Defaults.
• Export MS SQL Database to CSV, HTML, XLS, and MDF.

Step 1. Stop the MS SQL Server service using either services.msc or Management Studio.

Step 2: Run the SQL Recovery tool. On the main interface, select the MDF/NDF file of the database that you want to recover. Click on 'Repair' to start the repairing process of your MDF/NDF files.

If you know where the file is located, click Browse to locate the database.

If you do not know the location of the file, click Search to search for the .mdf or .ndf file.

How to Restore Database from MDF File in SQL Server - Step 2

When finished, you will see the recovered database objects in the left pane of the window.

Click “Export” in the bottom right corner of the screen to save the database objects. Choose the desired format, such as MDF or SQL script.

In the Export to Database window, choose Create New Database or Export to Existing Database to save the recovered data. If you select Create New Database, enter the database name and choose the SQL location. If you select Export to Existing Database, select an existing database.

How to Recover Database from MDF File in SQL Server - Step 4

Step 5 Restart SQL Server.