Back up file size

  • I have a database that I shrank. Looking in the properties of the database I see it has a size of 11.68 MB with space available of 1.13 MB. The file sizes add up to this pretty close to 13 MB. I then backed up the database and see the back up file has a size of 136,994 KB in Windows explorer. Seems like it should be around 13,312 KB. What am I missing here or what is going on?

  • Did you backup to an existing backup set (so multiple backups in the same file)?

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Not sure. I am showing my ignorance here but I ran the backup on the database. I assumed it would overwrite previous backups.

  • Not unless you specified WITH INIT

    Without that SQL will append backups to existing ones in the file.

    Use RESTORE HEADERONLY to see what backups are within the file.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Thanks for that. Learned something. I was doing the backup from Management Studio.

  • GilaMonster (2/13/2012)


    Not unless you specified WITH INIT

    Without that SQL will append backups to existing ones in the file..

    Gail I have a question. Why sqlsever default value is appending rather than a new backup media. Do we have advanatages on appending the backups to a single file.

    ---- Babu

  • It's just the default. No real advantage for files.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass

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