---
title: "Enormous  database in SQL Server Express 2008"  
description: "Enormous  database in SQL Server Express 2008"  
author: "Anonymous User"  
published: 2015-09-28  
updated: 2018-06-11  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/33478/enormous-database-in-sql-server-express-2008  
category: "mssql server"  
tags: ["database", "mssql server"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Enormous  database in SQL Server Express 2008

I've got a large backup that I need to partially install into our instance of [SQL Server](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12999/what-is-table-valued-function-in-sql-server) express 2008. The [backup file](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/390/how-to-create-mysql-database-backup-file-using-php) is over the 4096Mb limit that restricts SQL Server Express. Is there any way to do a partial restore?\
This [database](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/12226/use-of-database-in-sencha-extjs-and-insert-record-from-user-form-using-ajax) is from a [customer](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/325839/how-to-improve-your-business-level-of-customer-service) and I need to do some [development](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/65309/importance-of-ux-design-in-the-development-of-mobile-apps) against it. We don't have any licensed versions of SQL Server 2008 that I can restore this data into and chop it apart.\
Incidentally, the error I get is :\
TITLE: [Microsoft SQL](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159597/my-sql-server-vs-microsoft-sql-server-which-one-better) Server [Management Studio](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159668/what-is-the-difference-between-sql-server-and-sql-management-studio)\

```
Restore failed for Server 'ZEPPO\SQLEXPRESS'. (Microsoft.SqlServer.SmoExtended)For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0+((Katmai_PCU_Main).090329-1045+)&EvtSrc=Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.ExceptionTemplates.FailedOperationExceptionText&EvtID=Restore+Server&LinkId=20476ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: CREATE DATABASE or ALTER DATABASE failed because the resulting cumulative database size would exceed your licensed limit of 4096 MB per database. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)For help, click: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink?ProdName=Microsoft+SQL+Server&ProdVer=10.0.2531.0+((Katmai_PCU_Main).090329-1045+)&LinkId=20476
```

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## Replies

### Reply by Julia Sam

Post is removed by the Admin.

### Reply by Anonymous User

http://www.red-gate.com/products/SQL_Professional_Toolbelt/index.htm\
\
"SQL Object Level Recovery Native™: recover database objects from SQL Server backups"\
This works quite nicely, at least for my needs...


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/33478/enormous-database-in-sql-server-express-2008

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