How to restore SQL Server 2014 backup in SQL Server 2008

Question

Were there any changes in this area with SQL Server 2014? I’ve seen this post Is it possible to restore Sql Server 2008 backup in sql server 2005 and I know that this was not possible as a scenario for 2012 -> 2008 but I wonder if MS made any changes here with the 2014 version.

We are evaluating 2014 version and we have a fairly large database in testing. We’d like to restore a backup of that database to SQL Server 2008 because that physical machine has more space, RAM,…

I’m getting standard error message when I try to restore backup but I was wondering if there is something else in SQL Server 2014 that I might be missing.

Answer 1

Pretty old question... but I had the same problem today and solved with script, a little bit slow and complex but worked. I did this:

Let's start from the source DB (SQL 2014) right click on the database you would like to backup -> Generate Scripts -> "Script entire database and all database objet" (or u can select only some table if u want) -> the most important step is in the "Set Scripting Options" tab, here you have to click on "Advanced" and look for the option "Script for Server version" and in my case I could select everything from SQL 2005, also pay attention to the option "Types of data to script" I advice "Schema and data" and also Script Triggers and Script Full-text Indexes (if you need, it's false by default) and finally click ok and next. Should look like this:

Now transfer your generated script into your SQL 2008, open it and last Important Step: You must change mdf and ldf location!!

That's all folks, happy F5!! :D