This article describes how to to change recovery model of a MS SQL database through SQL Server Management Studio and Transact-SQL. A recovery model database property tells SQL Server how you want to log the transaction logs. Mainly there are three recovery models in MS SQL Server.
- Simple
- Full
- Bulk-logged
In most cases, MS SQL database uses full and simple recovery model. However, MS SQL database can be switched to another recovery model at any time. Before you switch from full or bulk-logged recovery model, it is recommended to take the backup the transaction logs. Here are the recommendations you should refer to before you switch to other recovery model.
Change the recovery model Using SQL Server Management Studio
- Connect to MS SQL Server through SQL Server Management studio. You can refer to following tutorials to connect to MS SQL Server.
- How do I connect to MSSQL Server 2008 from SQL Server Management Studio
- How do I connect to MSSQL Server 2012 from SQL Server Management Studio
- How do I connect to MSSQL Server 2008 from SQL Server Management Studio
- Once you are connected to Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine, at left hand side in Object Explorer pane, click the SQL server name to expand the server tree.
- Expand Databases and right-click on the database whose recovery model you wish to change. Right-click the database, and then click Properties which opens the Database Properties dialog box.
- Under Select a page pane, click Options. You would see current recovery model displayed under Recovery model list box.
- You can change the recovery model from drop down and Click OK.
Change the recovery model using Transact-SQL
- Connect to the Database Engine.
- From the Standard bar, click New Query.
- Type following statement in query window and click Execute.
USE Your-database-name ;
ALTER DATABASE Your-database-name SET RECOVERY FULL ;
