Overview

This article details the required steps to create a full backup of a database using SQL Server Management Studio.

Process

To Back Up a Database

1. Connect to the appropriate instance of the Microsoft SQL Server Database Engine, in Object Explorer, click the server name to expand the server tree.

2. Expand Databases, and select the database on which to perform a backup. In this example we will select the AdventureWorks Database

3. Right-click the database → point to Tasks → click Back Up... The Back Up Database dialog box appears.

4. In the Database list box, verify the database name, set the Backup type to Full, and set Backup component to Database.  Then choose the type of backup destination by clicking either Disk or Tape (Tape will be grayed out if not applicable). The selected paths are displayed in the Back up to list box. Either accept the default backup location, or click Add... to choose another location.

 To remove a backup destination, select it and click Remove. To view the contents of a backup destination, select it and click Contents.