Sql-server – Does Restore “From database” restore from the most recent backup of the database or the actual live database

sql serversql-server-2005ssms

In SSMS 2005, I want to use the GUI to copy a database by restoring in to a new database. I was using the "From database" radio button for the source, but then the databases in the list disappeared recently. I read the sql server documentation and it says that only databases that are on record as having a backup will show up in this list. Nothing in the documentation says whether this backup will the actual data source or not.

When I select "From Database" in the source options, does it pull from the most recent backup of the database, or the actual live database?

Best Answer

It will not pull from the live database. There is no SQL command for this (yet). It will give you a selection of recent backups you can pick from. You can only restore from a database snapshot and from a backup, not from a live database.