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SQL SERVER – FIX : Error 3154: The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing database – SSMS

Pinal Dave
SQL Tips and Tricks
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Restore failing because the backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing database? This is a follow up of the blog post I have posted on error 3154 few years ago. I have received quite a few emails that how we can fix the same error with the help of SQL Server Management Studio. In this blog post, I will explain how we can do the same with SSMS. Here is the error code:

Error 3154: The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing database.

You can fix that with the help of T-SQL with the following command. 

RESTORE DATABASE AdventureWorks
FROM DISK = 'C:\BackupAdventureworks.bak'
WITH REPLACE

If you want to do the same with SSMS, you can follow the steps here:

Step 1: Create a database with your preferred name. (In our case AdventureWorks)

Step 2: Write click on the database and click on Tasks >> Restore >> Database…

Database menu in Object Explorer.

Step 3: On the restore screen go to third selection of Options. Now select the checkbox “Overwrite the existing database (WITH REPLACE)”

Backup settings for database restore.

Step 4: Click OK. It should successfully restore the database.

Note: When you restore a database WITH REPLACE it will overwrite the old database.

Relevant Blog Post:

FIX : Error 3154: The backup set holds a backup of a database other than the existing database

Published by Pinal Dave on SQLAuthority. More of my work at pinaldave.com.

SQL Backup and Restore, SQL Data Storage, SQL Error Messages, SQL Scripts
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