The restore point in time recovery in SQL Server is really useful for recovery time. To do so, users may need to back up the SQL Server database. It is required due to a variety of reasons, that include accidentally deleting a specific table, incorrect execution of DML or DDL commands, etc. In this blog, we are going to discuss manual as well as an automated approach to restore point in time recovery process. We have to take into consideration several other facts as well for the SQL Server point in time restore task that are mentioned below.

Table of Content

Restore Point in Time Recovery in SQL Server – Reasons

Review the following reasons that require recovery. Follow the below-mentioned points as such:

  • The upgradation of the database fails due to a failure in the script.
  • The data stored in the database can be destroyed by errors, viruses, or worms.
  • Because transaction logs or backups were missing the recovery of database after failure might not work well.

Automated Approach to Restore Point in Time Recovery in SQL Server

If the backup file is found to be corrupt, you can recover your .bak file using a dedicated solution like SysTools SQL Backup Recovery Tool. The software restore SQL database from a backup file without any difficulty. You can upload the file of any size. It has an easy-to-use interface that even a novice user can use without taking the help of an expert. In a nutshell, it is the best way for SQL Server point-in-time restore task.

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Steps to Restore Database Point in Time Recovery in SQL Server

There are two manual ways, i.e., SQL Server Management Studio and T-SQL, by which users can perform restore point in time recovery in SQL Server. Follow these steps to restore a database to a point in time in SQL Server:

Restore Point in Time SQL Server with SQL Server Management Studio

Step 1. Connect to the SQL Server Database Engine and then expand Databases for SQL Server point in time recovery.

Restore Point in Time Recovery in SQL Server

Step 2. Open the database file, either System Databases or User-defined; choose accordingly.
Step 3. Select the required System database, choose Tasks, then select Restore Databases.
Step 4. In the General window, specify the Source and Location for restoring. Users can select either from a database or from the device to proceed with the restore point in time recovery in SQL Server process.
Step 5. Under the Destination section, it can load the name automatically when the user selects a file from the database. If the selection is done from a specific device, users must specify the destination name.

Restore SQL Database to a Point-in-Time

Step 6. Identify the Timeline accordingly to restore the entire database back to a specific time.
Step 7. In the Options window, users can come across the Restore and Recovery state options.

Restore Point in Time Recovery in SQL Server

Step 8.  Restore option consists of many options. Users can choose as per their requirement for the restore point in time recovery in SQL Server process.

  • Overwrite an existing database (WITH REPLACE)
  • Protect the replication settings (WITH KEEP_REPLICATION)
  • Prompt before retrieving each backup
  • Restrict accessibility to the recovered database file (WITH RESTRICTED_USER)

Step 9. In the Recovery state section, users will find the options for setting recovery state of database after regaining.

  • RESTORE WITH RECOVERY: It becomes a default option and keeps the database ready by rolling back all the uncommitted transactions.
  •  RESTORE WITH NORECOVERY: Uncommitted transactions can not roll backed but extra transactions will be retrieved.
  •  RESTORE WITH STANDBY: It can eliminate the uncommitted transactions but also saves the eliminating actions in the standby file to revert the recovery effects later.

Step 10. Press the “OK” button.

Using Transact-SQL (Transaction SQL)

To go with this solution, users need full transaction log files. Here, the restoration process takes place from the transaction log backups only. According to this, the target database name is defined along with the time in the STOPAT clauses. Go through the syntax given below:

RESTORE LOG database_name FROM <backup_device> WITH STOPAT = time, RECOVERY

For this, the transaction logs that are committed after a stated time in the WITH STOPAT clause are not recovered, and the error message will display if the last backup does not match the target time. If the specified time is incorrect, then the success of the restoration process is uncertain in that case.

Time to Conclude

The blog covers the effective steps to Restore database point-in-time recovery in SQL Server. You can learn how to restore Point in Time Recovery in SQL Server in two ways: either by SSMS or by TSQL. If your .bak file is damaged, you can recover it using an automated tool to restore database point in time in SQL Server.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q-1. Why is point-in-time recovery not possible in the bulk-logged recovery model?
Ans: A point in time recovery while using bulk logged recovery is not possible because the minimally logged operations cannot be restored.
 
Q-2. What if we want to get back the deleted log data file? What should be the procedure then?
Ans: Apart from SQL Server point in time recovery, users can recover data from log file in SQL Server using an advanced SQL Log Analyzer solution without any hassles.
 
Q-3. What is the difference between Full and Bulk logged recovery models?
Ans: The bulk-logged recovery model is a special model that works similarly to the full recovery model. The only difference is the way mass data change operations are performed. With the full recovery model, SQL Server retains the transaction log until you save it. In this way, you can design a disaster recovery plan that includes a combination of full and differential database backups.