How to Backup SQL Server Database to Older Version in Another Server?

There are situations when users might want to backup SQL Server database to older version of Microsoft SQL. Now, there can be several reasons for that but only a few accurate solutions to actually get the desired results for SQL Server backup database compatibility with older version. This is because of some challenges that users need to be aware of. Moreover, users need often get confused regarding the method to execute such a task.

Well, logically, there are two ways to execute such a task but experts prefer to use the modern-day refined solution instead of the manual ones. Still, we will mention these solutions along with the benefits & drawbacks for users to backup the SQL database from a high-end version to a lower one.

What are the Possible Reasons to Backup SQL Server Database to Older Version?

Before going for the methods and steps to downgrade the database versions, it is important for us to know the reasons for doing the same. We will now discuss some of the common reasons for downgrading the database from a newer version to an older version, while preserving SQL Server backup compatibility. 

• Several applications only support the older versions of SQL Server, and further face challenges while connecting to or working with the newer SQL database engines. 
• There are times when the organisations require the servers to run on a specific version to maintain consistency throughout the production, development, or testing environments. 
• The upgradation of servers to match the latest levels is quite expensive. To avoid version differences, along with saving costs, users often prefer to downgrade SQL versions. 
• There are many cases when the new server upgrades result in degraded performance or application failures. In such cases, it is optimal to rollback the database to the previous version. 

These are some of the reasons why users prefer to backup database to older version. Now, moving forward, let’s take a look at the challenges to understand the issue more clearly and further proceed with the best methods to carry out the process. 

Challenges to Backup SQL Database to Another Server Lower Version

Now, before we proceed to execute this method, let’s learn about the challenges with SQL Server backup database compatibility with older version in depth. In other words, we will try to understand what the challenges are & why they are occurring. Due to the incompatibility of the lower version with the higher version features, functionalities, and properties, the software does not allow users to backup SQL Server database to older version. Therefore, we have some other ways that we are going to opt for. Apart from this, some of the other common challenges for this issue are:

• Training the staff about the upcoming changes, which is not very pleasant in terms of migrating the server to a lower version.
• Being prepared for data loss, or corruption is also crucial as the project failure will lead to it for sure & will increase the workload.
• Downgrading the server means reducing the efficiency & making the operations time-consuming in some way for bulk operations.
• Technical proficiency is also required for such an advanced solution as not all users execute such tasks on a daily basis.
• There are no direct approaches to downgrade the SQL Server database from a newer version to an older version. This means any approach used for this operation can result in data loss. 
• After downgrading the database, there is a high chance that the older version will not support the features of the newer version and might face SQL Server backup compatibility issues after the downgrade. 
• With the data of the newer SQL version, the older version might require more resources to execute the operations, further resulting in performance degradation in the database. 
• If we talk about SQL Server backup compatible with older version, one of the issues encountered is the differences in data handling and indexing in the database.

Backup SQL Server Database to Older Version – Best Way Possible

To get the work done quickly, users must consider the SysTools SQL Server Database Migration Tool anyway. This advanced utility holds the capability to backup the SQL database to a lower or older version to some extent. It’s not like you can migrate the data from 2022 to 2000 version. Instead, it’s like going from 2019 version to 2017, 2016, etc.

Download the Software & then follow the 5 simple steps mentioned below for SQL Server backup database compatibility with older version, even if it’s a lower version.

Step-1. Install and Open the Software to begin the procedure.

Step-2. Hit the Open button & Select the Online or Offline mode.

Step-3. Enter Source Server Details or MDF files to provide data.

Step-4. Select the Destination platform to backup SQL Server database to older version. 

Step-5. Finally, Hit the Export button to backup SQL Server database to older version.

Note: Users must note that minor downgrading is fine with this tool but executing major downgrading isn’t possible by any method.

Software Features to Learn How to Backup SQL Database to Older Version

The software comes with some exceptional features that make it the best of all. Let’s discuss these features & how they help users in reducing the hassles during backup SQL Server database to older version. Also, we will discuss what else the software can help users with.

Complete Database Migration: This is the best utility as it can migrate the SQL server database along with all of its data & schema. It backs up the data to another server or the same server with a different database.

Four Modes for Migration or Backup: The software allow users to get four options. These are Live Server to Live Server, Live Server to SQL Scripts, SQL MDF to Live Server, and SQL MDF to SQL Scripts as the user requires.

Schema & Data Optional: Users get the option to either export the schema only to back up the structure of the tables. Or they can opt for the schema with data for getting tables & data for backup SQL Server database to an older version. 

Exporting to New or Existing DB: If users want, they can backup the entire data & export that to either a new database or an existing one. This way, management of the data becomes easier than before.

Also Read: How to Restore Schema in SQL Server Database?

Backup SQL Server Database to Older Version Manually – Stage 1

In this manual approach, users must have the support of the SQL Server environment including the SSMS (SQL Server Management Studio). Here, users need to opt for the Generate Scripts function to complete this stage of SQL Server backup compatibility smoothly.

Follow the Steps mentioned below carefully:

1. Go to SSMS > Tasks > Generate Scripts.
2. “Generate and Publish Scripts” window > Next.
3. “Choose Objects” tab > Click on the next button.
4. Set Scripting Option tab > Hit the Advance button.
5. Now, select the Version from the drop-down list here.
6. Set “Schema and Data” in Types of data to script option.
7. Table view options: Set Script Index, Script triggers, Script primary keys to true.
8. Click OK in Set Scripting option > Save as Script File > Next.
9. Verify the data & Click on the Next button.
10. Click on the Finish button.

Run Scripts in Lower Version of the SQL Server Database – Stage 2

Once we have created the SQL Server scripts, it’s time to proceed to run them in the system. For that, here we are at stage two to perform some of the other crucial steps for backup SQL Server database to older version.

1. Open SSMS > Click on File > Open  > File.
2. Browse & Select the SQL Script > Click Open.
3. After opening the script, change MDF & LDF locations.
4. Right-Click on the Database and Hit the Refresh button.

That’s it. After executing all of these steps from both stages one & two, users might get the expected outcome. However, there is still no surety for 100% accurate results as not all objects of higher SQL versions are supported by the lower versions and might result in SQL Server backup database compatibility with older version issues.

Critical Drawbacks of the Manual Method

Before users jump to backup SQL database to another server in a lower version using the manual solution, let’s have a look at the drawbacks present here quickly. Then the decision-making for uses will be easier.

• Quite an Inefficient Solution
• Technical Proficiency Needed
• No Surety of Expected Results
• Chances of Data Loss/Damage
• Lacks Modern Day Advance Features

Avoid SQL Server Backup Database Compatibility with Older Version Issues

Here are some of the practices that will allow users to securely downgrade the SQL Server versions without compromising the data integrity in the database. 

• Before transferring the data directly to the older version, it is required for the database administrators to take a compatibility test between both versions. This will help them understand the possible risks during the downgrade.
• The users must document the entire process and everything, including the database objects, linked servers, etc., for future purposes. 
• For a safer downgrade, it is better to test the method on a non-production environment first to check for SQL Server backup compatible with older version issues and further avoid any risk of data loss or corruption.
• Choosing the right way is also important, as one wrong choice can risk the safety of the entire database. 
• Taking a backup of everything will help the users to recover the database in case something goes wrong during the process. 

Conclusion

Finally, learning how to backup SQL Server database to older version is completed using the above methods. Now, selection of the right method depends on users preferences. As per experts & Microsoft MVPs, the advanced solution is what users should focus on.