You can restore legacy backups of SQL databases, file groups, and files by using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
Setting single-user mode for restore operations
You might have to start an SQL Server instance in single-user
mode during certain restore operations, for
example, when you are restoring a damaged master database or
a system database, or when you are changing server
configuration options.
Restoring SQL Server data
You can restore SQL Server databases or parts of databases only from
full, differential, and log backups.
You can also restore availability databases with SQL Server 2012 and later
versions.
Restoring an SQL database to an alternate instance
By using the Microsoft Management Console
(MMC), you can restore an SQL database backup to an alternate SQL Server instance or
database. You can also restore availability databases to an alternate location on any
availability replica in an availability group.
Restoring the master database
A damaged master database can cause the SQL Server to fail to start, and other error
conditions. You must restore the master database if it is damaged.
Restoring SQL databases from virtual machine snapshots
You can restore SQL databases from virtual machine snapshots
when Tivoli® Storage Manager
for Virtual Environments, Version 7.1 and later is used to back
up the data. Before you restore the SQL database, you must verify
that the data is backed up correctly.
Restoring SQL databases on Windows Server Core
In a Windows Server Core environment, you can
operate Data Protection for SQL Server from
only the command-line interface. You can issue the restore command to
protect your Microsoft SQL Server 2012 and later
versions.
Restoring SQL file groups and files from legacy backups
By using the Microsoft Management Console (MMC), you can restore SQL file groups and files from legacy backups. You can also restore availability databases to any availability replica in an availability group.