How can I schedule a daily backup with SQL Server Express?

backup sql-server-express scheduled-tasks
edosoft picture edosoft · Jan 28, 2009 · Viewed 246.9k times · Source

I'm running a small web application with SQL server express (2005) as backend. I can create a backup with a SQL script, however, I'd like to schedule this on a daily basis. As extra option (should-have) I'd like to keep only the last X backups (for space-saving reasons obviously) Any pointers?

[edit] SQL server agent is unavailable in SQL server express...

Answer

Sam Cogan picture Sam Cogan · Jan 28, 2009

You cannot use the SQL Server agent in SQL Server Express. The way I have done it before is to create a SQL Script, and then run it as a scheduled task each day, you could have multiple scheduled tasks to fit in with your backup schedule/retention. The command I use in the scheduled task is:

"C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Tools\Binn\SQLCMD.EXE" -i"c:\path\to\sqlbackupScript.sql"

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