SQL Server: Database stuck in “Restoring” state

Question

I backed up a database:

BACKUP DATABASE MyDatabase
TO DISK = \'MyDatabase.bak\'
WITH INIT --overwrite existing

And then tried to restore it

Answer 1

WITH RECOVERY option is used by default when RESTORE DATABASE/RESTORE LOG commands is executed. If you're stuck in "restoring" process you can bring back a database to online state by executing:

RESTORE DATABASE YourDB WITH RECOVERY
GO

If there's a need for multiple files restoring, CLI commands requires WITH NORECOVERY and WITH RECOVERY respectively - only the last file in command should have WITH RECOVERY to bring back the database online:

RESTORE DATABASE YourDB FROM DISK = 'Z:\YourDB.bak'
WITH NORECOVERY
GO
RESTORE LOG YourDB FROM DISK = 'Z:\YourDB.trn'
WITH RECOVERY
GO

You can use SQL Server Management Studio wizard also:

There is also virtual restoring process, but you'll have to use 3rd party solutions. Usually you can use a database backup as live online database. ApexSQL and Idera has their own solutions. Review by SQL Hammer about ApexSQL Restore. Virtual restoring is good solution if you're dealing with large numbers of backups. Restore process is much faster and also can save a lot of space on disk drive. You can take a look on infographic here for some comparison.