# How to move the data from one MSSQL Server to another? Last updated: July 24, 2026 This guide explains how to move the MSSQL database used by Mobile Device Manager Plus from one server or location to another, after stopping the MDM server. The process has three stages: back up the existing database using `backuprestore.bat`; create a new database by pointing the server to the new SQL Server instance via `changedbserver.bat` and starting the server to generate default tables; then restore the backed-up data, after replacing the `database_params.conf` file in the backup archive, using `backuprestore.bat` again before restarting the server. ## Description This document will explain the steps involved in moving data from one MSSQL server to another. Database could be moved from one drive to another or from one computer to another. Note: If you want to move Mobile Device Manager Plus server from one location to another, refer [this](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/mdm-server-migration.html). ## Steps There are three stages in moving the MSSQL database, they are: 1. [Backup the existing Database](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/moving-mssql-database-to-different-location.html#backup) 2. [Create a New Database](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/moving-mssql-database-to-different-location.html#create) 3. [Restore the data to the New Database](https://www.manageengine.com/mobile-device-management/how-to/moving-mssql-database-to-different-location.html#restore) Note: Stop the Mobile Device Manager Plus Server and open command prompt as Administrator to perform the following steps. ### Backup the Existing Database 1. Take the backup of our product located at **/bin directory**, by using **backuprestore.bat.** You can take a backup of the existing database and store it in your desired location. A backup file will be named using the buildnumber-date-time.zip format. For example, 90000-May-25-2014-13-26.zip where 90000 is the build number, May 25th 2014 is the date and 13:26 is the time. ### Create a New Database 1. Change the new database server details located at **/bin directory,** by using the **changedbserver.bat** file. 1. Select Database Type as SQL Server. 2. Specify the Host Name where SQL Server is installed. 3. From the list of available instances, select the instance on which you wish to run the database. 4. You can choose to authenticate the database connection either using Windows Authentication or SQL Server Authentication. Choose the required authentication and provide the credentials. 5. Click the checkbox to enable NTLM authentication. 6. Click **Save** to save and complete the SQL Server Configuration. It will take a few minutes to configure the settings on the SQL Server. 2. Start the Mobile Device Manager Plus Server. Starting the server will create new tables and insert the default data in new DB Tables. (It is equivalent to a fresh setup.) ### Restore the data to the New Database 1. Stop the Mobile Device Manager Plus Server. Before restoring the backup, perform the following: > Go to the server installed location, and copy the **database_params.conf** file. This should be replaced in the archived backup. Follow the steps mentioned below: 1. Go to `server-home/conf/database_params.conf` in the new setup and copy the `database_params.conf`. 2. Now, extract the archived backup zip, and navigate to the same location. For example: **Drive:\ManageEngine\MDMServer\conf** and overwrite the file **database_params.conf**. 3. Select all the files under the unzipped folder, and convert it to a zip file. Do not zip the extracted folder directly, which will end up in creating an intermediate folder. Verify if the structure of the converted zip is the same as: **ManageEngine\MDMServer\conf**. 2. Restore the data to the new MSSQL database located at **/bin directory**, by using **backuprestore.bat.** Locate the data that has been backed up, to restore it in the new MSSQL database. Now start the Mobile Device Manager Plus server to see that the database has been moved to the desired location. ## Frequently asked questions ### How is the MSSQL database backed up before moving it? Run `backuprestore.bat` from the `/bin` directory to back up the existing database to your desired location; the backup file is named using a buildnumber-date-time.zip format, for example `90000-May-25-2014-13-26.zip`. ### Why do I need to replace the database_params.conf file before restoring the backup? The new server setup generates its own `database_params.conf` file in `server-home/conf`, which must overwrite the one inside the archived backup zip before you re-zip and restore it — otherwise the restored backup won't point to the new SQL Server instance. ### Do I need to stop the Mobile Device Manager Plus server during this process? Yes — stop the server before taking the backup and again before restoring data to the new database, then restart it once the database has been moved.