How to verify your Backup

In case the backup is incomplete or defective, the (Transact-SQL) command RESTORE VERIFYONLY FROM DISK = 'D:\Backup\xyz.bak' can be used to verify the backup from the disk. Please remember to adjust the path 'D:\Backup\xyz.bak' and choose the path on your Computer where the backup is located. 

The command RESTORE VERIFYONLY...

- verifies a backup, but does not restore it.

- verifies the completeness of the backup set

- the availability of disk space on the target devices

- the readability of the entire backup.

If the backup is valid a success message is returned.

The structure of the data located on the backup volumes is not checked. In Microsoft SQL Server, RESTORE VERIFYONLY has been extended to include additional checks on the data so that errors are more likely to be found. Thus, the goal is to mimic an actual restore operation as authentically as possible. It should also be noted that it is not possible to use RESTORE VERIFYONLY for a database snapshot.

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