-
Written By
Simran Bhatia -
Approved By
Sonika Rawat -
Updated on
September 25th, 2026 -
Read Time
7 minutes
Migrate Database from SQL Server 2019 to 2022: Best Solution
Fact-checked and reviewed in accordance with our
Editorial Policy
User Query: “We’re planning to migrate SQL Servers from 2019 to 2022, and I’m looking for accurate planning and execution to make sure it’s a smooth transition. Specifically, I’m looking for the best solution that migrate large amounts of data from SQL Server 2019 to 2022.
Introduction: If you’re running SQL Server 2019 and your team has finally decided to move to SQL Server 2022. You’ve probably already realised one thing — Microsoft doesn’t give you a single “click here to migrate” button. There are a few different ways to do this, and the wrong method for your setup can mean extra downtime or create several other issues. This guide explains the manual method to migrate database from SQL Server 2019 to 2022. Also, use a professional SysInfo SQL Database Recovery Tool to recover corrupted files.
Why Migrate SQL Server 2019 to 2022?
- Better handling of large workloads through improvements in TempDB and query processing
- Always Encrypted with Secure Enclaves, so you can filter and sort encrypted columns without decrypting them first
- Native support for Azure AD (Microsoft Entra ID) authentication
- Built-in integration with Microsoft Purview for data classification
- UTF-8 support in the database engine, which matters if you deal with multilingual data
Manual Methods to Upgrade SQL Server 2019 to 2022
There are two methods available. The first is to upgrade the existing SQL Server instance directly. The second is to install SQL Server 2022 separately and move the database using backup and restore.
Method 01: Migrate Database from SQL Server 2019 to 2022 Using In-Place Upgrade
- First, take a backup of all your system and user databases.
- Mount the SQL Server 2022 installation media and run setup.exe.
- In SQL Server Installation Center, click on Installation and select Upgrade from a previous version of SQL Server.
- Choose the existing SQL Server 2019 instance that you want to upgrade, and complete the installation wizard using Microsoft’s guide.
Method 02: Backup Restore SQL Server 2019 to 2022
The second approach is to install SQL Server 2022 separately and move the databases from SQL Server 2019 using backup and restore. The basic process is: SQL Server 2019 → Full Backup → Copy Backup → SQL Server 2022 → Restore Database. This method is useful when you want to keep the SQL Server 2019 environment available while testing the new SQL Server 2022 server.
How to Recover a Corrupted SQL Database File?
To recover a corrupted SQL database file, use SysInfo MS SQL Database Recovery. This tool is designed to restore corrupted database objects, including tables, views, stored procedures, programmability, and triggers, without any hassle. Offer two recovery modes: Standard or Advanced. Save recovered data into a SQL Server database or SQL Server-compatible script format.
Simple Steps to Repair a Corrupted SQL File
- Download the tool, add your corrupted SQL file, and choose a recovery mode.
- Select a Collation option and click OK. After successfully scanning, preview all recovered data.
- Click Save and choose different Saving options.
Note: For detailed instructions, refer to the software guide for SysInfo MS SQL Database Recovery Software. Test the recovered database before using it as the source for a SQL Server 2022 migration.
Which Method to Choose for SQL Server 2019 to 2022 Migration?
|
Method |
Downtime |
Best For |
Main Risk |
|
Backup & Restore |
Low to moderate |
Most migrations, any database size |
Backup file corruption during transfer |
|
Detach & Attach |
Full downtime during copy |
Very large databases on fast network |
File corruption if copy is interrupted |
|
In-Place Upgrade |
Moderate (server restart) |
Single-server setups, no new hardware |
No easy rollback |
|
Copy Database Wizard |
Low |
Small, occasional migrations |
Slower, depends on SQL Agent |
Common Migration Errors and What They Usually Mean
- “The media family on device is incorrectly formed” — usually a corrupted or incompletely transferred backup file.
- “Database is in use” — something still has an active connection; kill open sessions before detach or restore.
- Compatibility level warnings after restore — normal. The database keeps its old compatibility level (150 for 2019) until you manually change it in Database Properties > Options.
- Login/orphaned user issues — logins don’t automatically follow with backup-restore or detach-attach. You’ll need to remap them using sp_change_users_login or recreate them.
Conclusion
There’s no single “correct” way to migrate database from SQL Server 2019 to 2022. It depends on your downtime tolerance, database size, and whether you’re moving to new hardware or upgrading in place. Backup-and-restore covers most situations well. Just don’t skip the part where you verify the backup is actually good before you rely on it — that’s where most migrations run into trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I migrate multiple SQL Server 2019 databases to 2022 at once?
Ans. Yes, the database can be migrated from SQL Server 2019 to SQL Server 2022 without altering its current structure. Nevertheless, it is advisable to test the database as well as the applications after the migration to detect any compatibility or feature issues.
Q2. Is SQL Server 2019 to 2022 migration supported without changing the database structure?
Ans. Yes. A database can be moved from SQL Server 2019 to SQL Server 2022 without changing its existing structure. However, you should test the database and applications after migration to identify any compatibility or feature-related issues before changing the compatibility level.
Q3. Can SQL Server 2019 databases be restored to SQL Server 2022?
Ans. Yes. SQL Server 2022 supports restoring compatible SQL Server 2019 database backups. After restoring the database, check its status, run DBCC CHECKDB to verify consistency, and test the applications that use the database.
Q4. How long does it take to migrate SQL Server 2019 database to 2022?
Ans. The migration time depends on the database size, backup and restore speed, storage performance, network speed, and the migration method. Small databases may take relatively little time, while large databases can take much longer. It is better to test the process beforehand to estimate the required migration window.
Q5. Can SQL Server 2019 databases be moved to SQL Server 2022 without downtime?
Ans. It all depends on how the migration will be carried out and the nature of the cutover process. With a backup and restore migration, there is the ability to minimize downtime, as it can be done in advance, but still, at some point during the cutover process, the source system may need to be taken down or writes need to stop.
Q6. How can database integrity be verified after migration?
Ans. After having either restored or upgraded the database, execute the following command to test whether the database is consistent or not: “DBCC CHECKDB”. At the same time, you need to perform some checks for important tables, stored procedures, users, permissions, and application queries.
Q7. Are SQL Server Agent jobs migrated automatically with the database?
Ans. No. SQL Server Agent jobs are server-level objects and are not included in a normal database backup. If you move the database to a new SQL Server 2022 instance, you should separately script or recreate the required SQL Server Agent jobs and verify their schedules, owners, credentials, and dependencies.
Q8. Should SQL Server 2019 databases be backed up before changing the compatibility level?
Ans. Yes. A current backup is recommended before making significant database configuration changes, including changing the compatibility level. It gives you a recovery option if an application or query behaves unexpectedly after the change. Test the application after changing the compatibility level rather than changing it immediately after migration.
Q9. Is SQL Server Management Studio required for SQL Server 2019 to 2022 migration?
Ans. No. SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) is not required for every migration method. SQL Server Setup is used for an in-place upgrade, while backup and restore can be performed using tools such as T-SQL, SQL Server Management Studio, or other supported SQL Server administration tools.
About The Author:
Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.
Related Post
