Restoring a SQL Database from Multiple Backup Files

A .bak file is a SQL Server backup file that stores a complete snapshot of a database — its data, schema, and associated files — so it can be restored if the database is ever lost or corrupted. Backups can be stored on secondary servers or external drives for safety. Tools like SSMS, Transact-SQL, and PowerShell can all create and work with BAK files.

Restoring from Multiple .bak Files in SSMS

Step 1 — Place your .bak files in the SQL Server Backup directory

Find your SQL Server installation's Backup folder — typically something like C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\Backup — and copy all your .bak files into it.

Step 2 — Connect to your local SQL Server

Open SSMS, connect to the Database Engine using Windows Authentication (or whichever connection you use), and click Connect.

Step 3 — Open the Restore Database dialog

In the Object Explorer, right-click on the Databases node and select Restore Database. This opens the restoration dialog.

Step 4 — Select your backup device

On the General tab, set the source to Device and click the ellipsis (…) button. In the Select Backup Devices dialog, click Add to browse to your Backup directory and select your .bak files one by one. Click OK to confirm your selection.

Step 5 — Choose the database to restore

After confirming the backup devices, SQL Server reads the files and lists the databases contained within them. If multiple databases are present, select the one you want to restore, then click OK to begin the restoration process.

Once complete, your restored databases will appear under the Databases node in Object Explorer.