How to Create and Restore an MS SQL Database Backup on Winhost

Creating a Database Backup

1. Log in to your Winhost Control Panel.
2. Navigate to the MS SQL section.
3. Find the database you want to back up, and click the Manage link next to it.
4. Click the Backup option.

• A file will be generated in the format:
  [DatabaseName]_backup.bak
• The backup file will be placed in the /App_Data folder within your hosting account. (If this folder doesn’t already exist, it will be created automatically.)
• If a backup file with the same name already exists in /App_Data, the process will fail — so be sure to rename or download existing backups before creating a new one.

Restoring a Backup to a Winhost Database

• The .bak backup file is located in your site’s /App_Data directory.
• The backup file name must have .BAK extension.

1. Go to the MS SQL section in your Control Panel.
2. Click the Manage link next to the database you want to restore.
3. Choose the Restore option.

Additional Options

• Attach Database Feature:
  If your hosting plan includes the Ultimate or Power level, you may also have access to an “Attach Database” feature for working with SQL database files. Refer to this Winhost knowledge base article for details.
• Automated Backups with SiteBackup:
  Winhost’s SiteBackup tool can automatically back up both your site files and databases. This gives you the ability to schedule backups and manage retention settings. Please see this section of our knowledge base for more information on SiteBackup.