How to Restore a .bak File using Azure Data Studio

Step by step tutorial for restoring a SQL Server .bak file using Azure Data Studio.

Azure Data Studio (formerly called SQL Operations Studio) enables us to restore a database by pointing and clicking our way through the dialog boxes. It works just like restoring a database using SQL Server Management Studio.

Below are step by step instructions for restoring a database using Azure Data Studio. This assumes that SQL Server is running and you're connected to it via Azure Data Studio.

  1. Initiate the Restore Process

    Click the Restore button on the Server Dashboard.

    Screenshot of the Restore button on the Server Dashboard of Azure Data Studio

  2. Select the Source

    Select Backup file from the first dropdown menu.

    Then click the ellipsis (...) to open the file explorer.

    Screenshot of the Restore Database dialog box in Azure Data Studio with an arrow pointing to the Backup file option. Screenshot of the Restore Database dialog box in Azure Data Studio with an arrow pointing to the ellipsis.

  3. Select the .bak File

    Navigate to the .bak file, select it, then click OK.

    Screenshot of the file explorer with the backup file selected.

  4. Restore

    Click Restore to start the restore.

    Screenshot of the Restore Databases dialog with the Restore button highlighted.

  5. Wait...

    Watch the Task History bar for the restore to complete. Should only take a minute or two.

    Screenshot of Azure Data Studio with the Task History bar displaying a message that the restore is complete.

  6. Finished - View the Database

    Once the restore is complete, click the Servers icon at the top left of Azure Data Studio's interface. Your new database should appear in the list of databases (you might need to refresh the list by right-clicking on Databases and selecting Refresh).

    Screenshot of Azure Data Studio with the Servers icon highlighted.

  7. Check the Database

    Run a quick test. For example, right-click on a table and select Select Top 1000.

    Do any other tests as required.

    Screenshot of Azure Data Studio with the Select Top 1000 option highlighted.