--- title: "Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore" description: "Restores a backed-up Microsoft SQL Server database. Product: Veeam Backup & Replication Product Edition: Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Veeam Universal License This cmdlet provides the following parameter sets: This cmdlet restores a backed-up Micr" canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/explorers_powershell/start-vesqldatabaserestore.html" breadcrumb: "Veeam Explorers PowerShell Reference > Veeam Explorers PowerShell Reference > Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL Server > Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore" dateModified: "2026-08-18" --- # Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore ## Short Description Restores a backed-up Microsoft SQL Server database. **Product**: Veeam Backup & Replication **Product Edition**: Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Veeam Universal License ## Syntax This cmdlet provides the following parameter sets:

RestoreUsingCredentialsFromVBR
``` Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore [-Database] [-DatabaseName ] [-ServerName ] [-InstanceName ] [-Port ] [-ToPointInTimeUtc ] [-AvailabilityGroupName ] [-TargetFolder ] [-File ] [-TargetPath ] [-Force] [-RecoveryState ] [-StandbyFilePath ] [] ```
RestoreUsingCredentials
``` Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore [-Database] [-DatabaseName ] [-ServerName ] [-InstanceName ] [-Port ] -SqlCredentials [-UseSQLAuthentication] [-GuestCredentials ] [-ToPointInTimeUtc ] [-AvailabilityGroupName ] [-TargetFolder ] [-File ] [-TargetPath ] [-Force] [-RecoveryState ] [-StandbyFilePath ] [] ```
RestoreUsingGmsaAccount
``` Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore [-Database] [-DatabaseName ] [-ServerName ] [-InstanceName ] [-Port ] -GMSAAccount [-ToPointInTimeUtc ] [-AvailabilityGroupName ] [-TargetFolder ] [-File ] [-TargetPath ] [-Force] [-RecoveryState ] [-StandbyFilePath ] [] ```

## Detailed Description This cmdlet restores a backed-up Microsoft SQL Server database. You can restore a Microsoft SQL Server database to the original location or to another location. ## Parameters

Parameter	Description	Type	Required	Position	Accept Pipeline Input
AvailabilityGroupName	Specifies the name of the AlwaysOn availability group. The cmdlet will add a Microsoft SQL Server database to the specified group.	`String`	False	Named	False
Database	Specifies a Microsoft SQL Server database that you want to restore. Accepts the `VESQLDatabase` object. To get this object, run the `Get-VESQLDatabase` cmdlet.	`VESQLDatabase`	True	0	True (ByValue)
DatabaseName	For restore to another location. Specifies a name for the restored Microsoft SQL Server database on the target location. The database will be restored with the specified name.	`String`	False	Named	False
File	Specifies an array of file names for Microsoft SQL Server databases. Accepts the `VESQLDatabaseFile[]` object. To get this object, run the `Get-VESQLDatabaseFile` cmdlet.	`VESQLDatabaseFile[]`	False	Named	False
Force	Defines that the cmdlet will overwrite an existing Microsoft SQL Server database with a database from the backup. Note: The cmdlet will show no prompt before executing the command.	`SwitchParameter`	False	Named	False
GMSAAccount	For restore using gMSA. Specifies a gMSA that will be used to authenticate to the target server and the Microsoft SQL Server instance.	`String`	True	Named	False
GuestCredentials	Specifies credentials for authenticating to the target machine. If these credentials do not work, the cmdlet will use the credentials specified in the backup job. Consider the following: If you omit this parameter, the cmdlet will use the credentials specified in the `SqlCredentials` parameter to connect to both Microsoft SQL Server and to the guest OS. If you do not specify SQL credentials, the cmdlet will use the current account credentials. Accepts the `PSCredential` object. To get this object, run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet.	`PSCredential`	False	Named	False
InstanceName	For restore to another location. Specifies the name of the target instance. The cmdlet will restore the Microsoft SQL Server database to the specified target instance.	`String`	False	Named	False
Port	Specifies a port number that will be used to connect to the target Microsoft SQL Server machine.	`Int32`	False	Named	False
RecoveryState	Specifies the restore scenario. `Recovery` - use this option to leave a Microsoft SQL Server database in the ready to use state. With this option, you will not be able to restore additional transaction logs. `NoRecovery` - use this option to leave a Microsoft SQL Server database in the non-operational state and to avoid rolling back uncommitted transactions. Use this option to restore transaction logs that are backed up with a third-party tool. `StandBy` - use this option to leave the Microsoft SQL Server database in the read-only mode. It allows you to undo uncommitted transactions. The undo actions are saved in a standby file so that the recovery effects can be reversed. Default: Recovery	`RestoreMode`	False	Named	False
ServerName	For restore to another location. Specifies DNS name or IP address of a Microsoft SQL target server. The cmdlet will restore a Microsoft SQL Server database to the specified target server.	`String`	False	Named	False
SqlCredentials	Specifies SQL credentials for authenticating to Microsoft SQL Server on the target machine. Note: If you do not specify SQL credentials, the cmdlet will use the current account credentials. If these credentials do not work, the cmdlet will use the credentials specified in the backup job. Accepts the `PSCredential` object. To get this object, run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet.	`PSCredential`	True	Named	False
StandbyFilePath	For the `StandBy` parameter. Specifies a location for the standby file with the uncommitted transactions.	`String`	False	Named	False
TargetFolder	For restoring Microsoft SQL Server database files to one location. Specifies the destination folder. The cmdlet will restore all database files to that folder. Note: This parameter is not available if you use the `TargetPath` parameter.	`String`	False	Named	False
TargetPath	Specifies a target path array. The cmdlet will restore Microsoft SQL Server database files to the locations specified in the target path array. Consider the following: For every Microsoft SQL Server database file, you must assign a specific file path. This parameter is not available if you use the `TargetFolder` parameter.	`String[]`	False	Named	False
ToPointInTimeUtc	Specifies a point in time in UTC within the restore interval of a Microsoft SQL Server database. The cmdlet will restore the database to the state of the specified point in time.	`DateTime`	False	Named	False
UseSQLAuthentication	Defines that the cmdlet will use SQL authentication to connect to Microsoft SQL Server on the target machine. Note: If you omit this parameter, the cmdlet will use credentials specified in the `SQLCredentials` parameter to connect to both Microsoft SQL Server and to the guest OS.	`SwitchParameter`	False	Named	False

`` This cmdlet supports Microsoft PowerShell common parameters. For more information on common parameters, see the [About Common Parameters](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkID=113216) section of Microsoft Docs. ## Output Object The cmdlet returns the [`VESQLDatabaseRestore`](vesqldatabaserestore.md) object that contains details on the restore job for a Microsoft SQL Server database. ## Examples ::: example ### Example 1. Restoring Microsoft SQL Server Database to Original Location This example shows how to restore a Microsoft SQL Server database to the original location. The restore operation will run with the following settings: - The cmdlet will use the credentials of the user that is running the PowerShell session. - If these credentials do not work, the cmdlet will use the backup job credentials to connect to the guest OS and to Microsoft SQL Server. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "New SQL Database" Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore -Database $database ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Specify the `Name` parameter value. Save the result to the `$database` variable. 3. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore` cmdlet. Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. ::: ::: example ### Example 2. Restoring Microsoft SQL Server Database to Specific Folder This example shows how to restore a Microsoft SQL Server database to a specific folder. SQL credentials are used for authenticating to the guest OS and Microsoft SQL Server. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQL Database" $creds = Get-Credential Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore -Database $database -ServerName "SQLServer" -TargetFolder "C:\SQL\Restore" -SQLCredentials $creds ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Specify the `Name` parameter value. Save the result to the `$database` variable. 3. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter SQL credentials that will be used for authenticating to the guest OS and Microsoft SQL Server. Save the result to the `$creds` variable. 4. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `ServerName` parameter value. - Specify the `TargetFolder` parameter value. - Set the `$creds` variable as the `SQLCredentials` parameter value. ::: ::: example ### Example 3. Restoring Microsoft SQL Server Database Files to Specific Path Array This example shows how to restore Microsoft SQL Server database files to the specified array of paths. The restore session will run with the following options: - The cmdlet will restore the `File1.mdf` file to the `C:\SQLDBfile1\new_file.mdf` location. - The cmdlet will restore the `File2.ldf` file to the `C:\SQLDBfile2\new_file.ldf` location. - The cmdlet will use SQL credentials for authenticating to Microsoft SQL Server. - The cmdlet will use the guest credentials for authenticating to the guest OS. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQLDatabase" $files = Get-VESQLDatabaseFile -Database $database $files Path Type ---- ---- C:\Program Files\File1.mdf Primary C:\Program Files\File2.ldf Secondary $path = @("C:\SQLDBfile1\new_file.mdf","C:\SQLDBfile2\new_file.ldf") $sqlcreds = Get-Credential $oscreds = Get-Credential Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore -Database $database -ServerName "SQLServer" -File $files -TargetPath $path -UseSqlAuthentication -SqlCredentials $sqlcreds -GuestCredentials $oscreds ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Save the result to the `$database` variable. 3. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabaseFile`](get-vesqldatabasefile.md) cmdlet. Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. Save the result to the `$files` variable. 4. Use the `$files` variable to get details about the Microsoft SQL Server database files. 5. Declare the `$path` variable. Assign to this variable an array of paths for every database file that you want to restore. 6. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter SQL credentials that will be used for authenticating to Microsoft SQL Server. Save the result to the `$sqlcreds` variable. 7. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter guest credentials that will be used for authenticating to the guest OS. Save the result to the `$oscreds` variable. 8. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `ServerName` parameter value. - Set the `$files` variable as the `File` parameter value. - Set the `$path` variable as the `TargetPath` parameter value. - Provide the `UseSqlAuthentication` parameter. - Set the `$sqlcreds` variable as the `SqlCredentials` parameter value. - Set the `$oscreds` variable as the `GuestCredentials` parameter value. ::: ::: example ### Example 4. Restoring Microsoft SQL Server Database to Point-in-Time State This example shows how to restore Microsoft SQL Server database files to a point-in-time state. The database files are restored to a specific folder on the target server. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQLDatabase" $creds = Get-Credential $pit = Get-Date -Date "2026-05-25 15:00:00" $pitutc = $pit.ToUniversalTime() Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore -Database $database -ServerName "SQLServer" -TargetFolder "C:\SQL\Restore" -SQLCredentials $creds -ToPointInTimeUtc $pitutc ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` `parameter` value. Specify the `Name` parameter value. Save the result to the `$database` variable. 3. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter credentials that will be used for authenticating to guest OS and the Microsoft SQL Server on the target server. Save the result to the `$creds` variable. 4. Run the [`Get-Date`](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/get-date?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet and specify the date and time of the point-in-time state. Save the result to the `$pit` variable. 5. Convert the `$pit` variable to the UTC format using the `ToUniversalTime()` method. Save the result to the `$pitutc` variable. Note that you can use the [`Get-VESQLDatabaseRestoreInterval`](get-vesqldatabaserestoreinterval.md) cmdlet to get the restore interval of the necessary database in UTC. 6. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseRestore` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `ServerName` parameter value. - Specify the `TargetFolder` parameter value. - Set the `$creds` variable as the `SQLCredentials` parameter value. - Set the `$pitutc` variable as the `ToPointInTimeUtc` parameter value. ::: ## Related Commands - [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) - [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) - [``Get-Credential``](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) - [``Get-Date``](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/get-date?view=powershell-7.6) - [`Get-VESQLDatabaseFile`](get-vesqldatabasefile.md) - [`Get-VESQLDatabaseRestoreInterval`](get-vesqldatabaserestoreinterval.md)