Step by Step Tutorial to backup database in SQL Server Management Studio 2005, 2008, 2008R2 and 2012

In this article I will provide a step by step tutorial to backup database in SQL Server Management Studio 2005, 2008, 2008R2 and 2012.

Preparing for Backup

In the Object Explorer of SQL Server 2005, right click on the database then select Tasks and within that Backup. In the figure below I have selected NorthWind Database.

Choose the database and Backup type

Though you have right clicked the appropriate database still you can change the database using the dropdown. Also you have to choose the backup type since we need to transfer the complete database we will choose Full Backup.

Define Backup Set

Here you can specify the name of the Backup set and also when the backup set will expire. By default there is no expiry.

Set the location of the backup file

Here one has to choose the folder where the backup file will be created. Click on the Add button to set the path and the backup file name

Choose the folder path

Here by clicking on the browse button you can choose the path where you want the backup file to be created.

As you can see the Locate Database Window is opened. Here choose the folder where you want to create the backup of the database also provide a name to the backup file e.g. NorthWindDB.BAK. Backup files have a .BAK extension.

Verify the backup file

Once the OK button is clicked the backup file is created on the location that you have chosen. You can navigate to the folder to verify it