---
sidebar_position: 2
title: "Backing Up a Database"
---

# Backing Up a Database

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Before performing a backup, choose the right type for your situation:

| Type                | **What it captures**                       | **When to use**                                 |
| ------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Full**            | The entire database                        | Weekly baseline; required before any other type |
| **Differential**    | Changes since the last full backup         | Daily; faster and lighter than a full backup    |
| **Transaction Log** | All log activity since the last log backup | Hourly or more; enables point-in-time recovery  |

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## Full Backup

1. Open SSMS and connect to your SQL Server instance.
2. In the **Object Explorer** panel, expand the **Databases** node.
3. Right-click the database you want to back up, then select **Tasks → Back Up…**

![SSMS Backup Menu](img/1.png)

4. The **Back Up Database** window will open. Under **Backup type**, make sure **Full** is selected.

![Backup Type Full](img/2.png)

5. Under **Destination**, you will see a default backup path. To change it:
	1. Click **Remove** to clear the existing path.
	2. Click **Add**, then type or browse to your desired folder and filename (e.g., `MyDatabase_Full_2025-04-22.bak`).
	3. Click **OK**.

![Backup Destination](img/3.png)

6. Click **OK** to start the backup.

![Start Backup](img/4.png)

7. A confirmation dialog will appear when it completes successfully.

![Backup Success](img/5.png)

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## Differential Backup

Follow the same steps as a full backup, with one change at step 4: under **Backup type**, select **Differential** instead of Full.

![Backup Type Differential](img/6.png)

**NOTE:** A differential backup requires that a full backup has already been taken for the same database.

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## Transaction Log Backup

1. Right-click the database **→ Tasks → Back Up…**
2. Under **Backup type**, select **Transaction Log**.
3. Set the destination path and filename (e.g., `MyDatabase_Log_2025-04-22_10h00.trn`).

![Backup Type Transaction Log](img/7.png)

4. Click **OK** to run the backup.

![Start Log Backup](img/8.png)

**NOTE:** This option is only available when the database uses the **Full** or **Bulk-Logged** recovery model. To verify: right-click your database **→ Properties → Options →** check the **Recovery model** field.

![Check Recovery Model](img/9.png)

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## Scheduling Automatic Backups

You can automate recurring backups directly from the backup window without any scripting:
1. Configure your backup as described in the steps above, but **do not click OK yet**.

![Configure Backup](img/10.png)

2. At the top of the window, click **Script → Script Action to Job**

![Script to Job](img/11.png)

3. The **New Job** window will open. Go to the **Schedules** page and click **New**.

![New Schedule](img/12.png)

4. Define your schedule (frequency, start time, recurrence) and click **OK**.

![Define Schedule](img/13.png)

5. Click **OK** again to save the job. SQL Server Agent will run the backup automatically on the defined schedule.

![Save Job](img/14.png)

**NOTE:** SQL Server Agent must be running for scheduled jobs to execute. You can check its status in Object Explorer (it appears as a node at the bottom of the tree).

![SQL Server Agent Status](img/15.png)
