It is important to make a back up of your database from time to time. It is equally important to make a copy of the backup and store it in a location other than your computer such as a flash drive or a network drive that is backed up by your local IT. Below are step by step directions for backing up your database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.
To Download a PDF copy of this article, click here.
|
Step 1: Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Start\All Programs\Microsoft SQL Server 2012\SQL Server Management Studio
|
|
Step 2: Log into SQL Server. If you are the local administrator of your computer, you should be able to log in with Windows Authentication if you are using the administrator account that was used when SQL was installed. If you are not an administrator, you may need to log in using SQL Authentication.
The best SQL account to log in with is 'sa'. You should have the SQL password. If you do not, you may need to work with your local IT.
|
|
Step 3: Expand Databases by clicking on the + sign next to it. Your database should be listed below.
|
|
Step 4: Right-click on your database WAMS. A fly-out menu should appear. Click on the listed item “Tasks” and select “Backup” from the options.
|
|
Step 5: Verify the correct database is selected. Verify the Back-Up To path is correct. If it is not correct, or the backup file needs to be renamed, please click on the “Remove” button to the right of the destination text box. Click on the “Add” button to change the database backup location or backup name.
|
Step 6: Place the cursor at the end of the path listed and change the name for the backup file remembering to add the .bak extension to the end of the name. Also, limit special character use to _ and – in the naming convention. E.G. WAMS_24Mar2022.bak.  |
|
Step 7: Verify the correct name and path is listed in the Destination and click on the “Options” listing in the Select a page portion of the Back-Up pop-up.
|
|
Step 8: Click on the radio button to Overwrite all existing backup sets” and click on the OK button in the lower right corner.
|
|
Step 9: The Progress Executing wheel should start incrementing until it reaches 100%.
|
|
Step 10: Once the backup has been completed successfully, a prompt will appear. Click the “OK” button.
|
|
Step 11: Navigate to the location where the backup should have been saved and make a copy of it to place on a resource other than the computer.
|
