How to recover Missing Data in SQL Server Using a Partial Restore

Issue:

Data is missing from a database or the database is corrupted.

Product Line:

Power Monitoring Expert

Environment:

SQL Server Instance

Cause:

Part of a SQL Server database may be missing or corrupted. A partial restore can be used to recover specific filegroups or extract missing records without restoring the entire database.

Resolution:

Warning: Irreparable database damage can occur. This procedure must only be performed by users experienced with SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Always back up all databases before proceeding.

If you suspect part of a database is missing or corrupted, you can perform a partial restore into a separate database. This allows you to analyze or extract the missing data safely.
Partial restores work at the filegroup level. The PRIMARY filegroup is always restored. Filegroups not restored remain offline.

Steps to Perform a Partial Restore:

1. Run a partial restore to a new database name and location

Use the PARTIAL option and MOVE clauses to redirect data files.

Example:

2. Extract the needed data from the partial restore

After the partial database loads:

• Query the tables containing the missing data
• Export results as needed
• Insert the recovered data back into the original database (via INSERT…SELECT, SSIS, or manual operations)

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