How to restore SQL Server 2014 backup in SQL Server 2008

Question

Were there any changes in this area with SQL Server 2014? I’ve seen this post Is it possible to restore Sql Server 2008 backup in sql server 2005 and I know that this was not possible as a scenario for 2012 -> 2008 but I wonder if MS made any changes here with the 2014 version.

We are evaluating 2014 version and we have a fairly large database in testing. We’d like to restore a backup of that database to SQL Server 2008 because that physical machine has more space, RAM,…

I’m getting standard error message when I try to restore backup but I was wondering if there is something else in SQL Server 2014 that I might be missing.

Answer 1

Not really as far as I know but here are couple things you can try.

Third party tools: Create empty database on 2008 instance and use third party tools such as ApexSQL Diff and Data Diff to synchronize schema and tables.

Just use these (or any other on the market such as Red Gate, Idera, Dev Art, there are many similar) in trial mode to get the job done.

Generate scripts: Go to Tasks -> Generate Scripts, select option to script the data too and execute it on 2008 instance. Works just fine but note that script order is something you must be careful about. By default scripts are not ordered to take dependencies into account.

Answer 2

No, it is not possible. Stack Overflow wants me to answer with a longer answer, so I will say no again.

Documentation: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/statements/backup-transact-sql#compatibility

Backups that are created by more recent version of SQL Server cannot be restored in earlier versions of SQL Server.

Answer 3

It is a pretty old post, but I just had to do it today. I just right-clicked database from SQL2014 and selected Export Data option and that helped me to move data to SQL2012.

Answer 4

Pretty old question... but I had the same problem today and solved with script, a little bit slow and complex but worked. I did this:

Let's start from the source DB (SQL 2014) right click on the database you would like to backup -> Generate Scripts -> "Script entire database and all database objet" (or u can select only some table if u want) -> the most important step is in the "Set Scripting Options" tab, here you have to click on "Advanced" and look for the option "Script for Server version" and in my case I could select everything from SQL 2005, also pay attention to the option "Types of data to script" I advice "Schema and data" and also Script Triggers and Script Full-text Indexes (if you need, it's false by default) and finally click ok and next. Should look like this:

Now transfer your generated script into your SQL 2008, open it and last Important Step: You must change mdf and ldf location!!

That's all folks, happy F5!! :D

Answer 5

No I guess you cannot restore the databases from higher version to lower version , you can make data flow b/w them i,e you can scriptout. http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlservertip/2810/how-to-migrate-a-sql-server-database-to-a-lower-version/

Answer 6

Please use SQL Server Data Tools from SQL Server Integration Services (Transfer Database Task) as here: https://stackoverflow.com/a/27777823/2127493

Answer 7

If you have both versions you can create a merge replication from new to old. Create a merge publication on your newer sql server and a subscription on the older version. After initializing the subscription you can create a backup of the database with the same structure and the same content but in an older version and restore it on your old target server. You can use this method also with sql server 2016 to target 2014, 2012 or 2008.