Home/ Questions/Q 72285
In Process

The Archive Base Latest Questions

Editorial Team
  • 0
Asked: 2026-05-10T20:01:14+00:00

I am trying to execute this SQL query prior to restoring a .BAK file

  • 0

I am trying to execute this SQL query prior to restoring a .BAK file in SQL Express. Initially, I had the file on the Desktop of my user account. I am logged in as Administrator.

When I try to access the .BAK file on the desktop like this

RESTORE FILELISTONLY FROM DISK= 'C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\file.bak'

I get an error.

Msg 3201, Level 16, State 2, Line 1 Cannot open backup device 'C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\file.bak'. Operating system error 5(Access is denied.). Msg 3013, Level 16, State 1, Line 1 RESTORE FILELIST is terminating abnormally.

However, when I move the .BAK file to C:\temp, and execute this 

RESTORE FILELISTONLY FROM DISK= 'C:\temp\file.bak'

It works just fine.

I cant figure out what is going on. Is there a way to access files on Desktop using Windows Authentication with SQL Express?

Share

Leave an answer

You must login to add an answer.

Need An Account,

1 Answer

  1. Try granting read permission to Users or LOCAL SERVICE to the folder C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Desktop\ in your Policy Editor (right click the folder and in the Security tab click Add… then Advanced…|Find Now

    • 0