How to move SQL server database to another drive

Question

Hi

How to move SQL server database to another drive? I tried before by making offline, move physical database file and make online again but it failed, please help

Answer 1

I received a message that the destination path is not valid although I mapped the folder in the server and copied the bath exactly, please help

You cannot use mapped drives, because the drive mapping applies to you user only. SQL Server runs under a different user and does not see that mapping. You need to specify a UNC path like \\SERVER\Share\folder\db.mdf. However, putting database on network drives is not to recommend.

If you want to move the database to an instance on the physical server, BACKUP/RESTORE is the way to go. And again, you need to use a UNC path.

Answer 2

Hello,

here's a step by step on how to accomplish this:

https://www.sqlshack.com/move-sql-database-files-mdf-ldf-another-location/

and official reference here on Learn documentation:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/relational-databases/databases/move-database-files?view=sql-server-ver16

Answer 3

but it failed,

Which error do you get? Have you set the correct location for all database files = MDF + LDF?

The more save way to move database files is Backup&Restore instead detach/attach.

Answer 4

Hello, thanks for your reply, but unfortunately I couldn't backup the data base to our physical server because in the backup process wizard I was asked to select the destination folder but the wizard could only see the local partitions in my machine although I mapped the folder on the server to my machine, please help