Intro: A client frequently opens or views MDF files without needing a SQL server. Experts will typically share their SQL data sets with most organizations so that a survey MDF file can easily oversee a broad range of documents. Consequently, a brief prologue to MDF documents should exist. In this blog, we will see all the supposed methods to access a .mdf database without SQL Server
The SQL database server’s MDF files, which are saved with the MDF extension, are the fundamental database files. As a primary database, MDF files hold all user data and additional database objects like views, tables, indexes, keys, functions, and triggers. All of the SQL database server’s initial configuration is also contained in these files.
It is a double-sort document that is not normally readable. To access the data set using SQL exchange Statements, this basic data set document can be attached to a SQL Server that is currently operating. These MDF records are prone to corruption, in any event. It becomes challenging to access the entirety of your information base’s essence even with a minor corruption in MDF records. Thus, let us examine the underlying reasons for the corruption of the MDF file before moving forward. If you want to open an MDF file without SQL server, read this blog completely.
Factors That Lead to MDF File Corruption
The following is a list of the main reasons for MDF file corruption. This is where you may take care of your MDF files if you want to access a .mdf database without SQL Server.
- Owing to Power Failure: There are various cases in which an abrupt loss of power causes some crucial data to be altered. As a result, some original data is harmed.
- Hard Disk Corruption: As we already know, all of the fundamental datasets are kept on hard disks. Therefore, corruption in it could lead to a situation wherein nobody can open an MDF file without SQL server. Thus, a hard drive may become corrupted if it is overused over an extended period
- Malicious or Virus Attacks: There’s always a chance that your important data will be severely compromised by malware or virus incursions. Therefore, it is preferable to use antivirus software to protect your data against virus infection.
The aforementioned factors force users to search for alternatives to SQL servers to view MDF file without installing SQL server. We will now present the method for the same in the part below.
How Can read MDF file without SQL server?
Without a SQL server, there is no manual method for viewing MDF files. In light of this, we present the SQL Viewer Tool. It is among the best options available for recovering SQL databases. Users of SQL databases can use the software to recover and repair faulty SQL database MDF and NDF files. Additionally, it restores programmability, triggers, stored procedures, tables, views, and other database components. Moving on, let’s see how this SQL viewer operates.
Methods to Access A .mdf Database Without SQL Server
Follow these steps carefully to read MDF file without SQL server
- Run the SQL Recovery Tool after installing it.
- To know the damaged MDF files, click the Open button.
- Choose the MDF file now, then press the Open button.
- From the drop-down list, select the Recovery Method.
- Next, select Auto Detection from the menu and press the OK button.
- At this point, the scanning procedure starts. When the completion pop-up displays, click the OK button.
- Then, the screen shows a pop-up once more. Click the “Yes” button.
- When the saving route finally appears in the box, select it by clicking the OK button.
Users can now view MDF file without installing SQL server by following the aforementioned procedure.
Conclusion
In the article above, we discussed the significance of MDF files. It has also been mentioned that users need an application to access a .mdf database without SQL Server. As a result, we have recommended the SQL database recovery program to users. It is a stand-alone program that easily retrieves the database contents from the MDF file. Users who have updated to a higher version can also use it to read MDF file without SQL server.
