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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-29T16:04:58+00:00

I have a database (mdf file) which I’m approaching with the Entity Framework. Is

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I have a database (mdf file) which I’m approaching with the Entity Framework. Is it possible to make a backup of the MDF file.
I tried already but SMO but the problem is because I’m using a mdf file the database name is empty. I’ve read that it’s autogenerated.

Piece of my backup code:

        String destinationPath = "C:\\";
        Backup sqlBackup = new Backup();

        sqlBackup.Action = BackupActionType.Database;
        sqlBackup.BackupSetDescription = "ArchiveDataBase:" + DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString();
        sqlBackup.BackupSetName = "Archive";
        
        BackupDeviceItem deviceItem = new BackupDeviceItem(destinationPath, DeviceType.File);
        ServerConnection connection = new ServerConnection(".\\SQLEXPRESS");
        Server sqlServer = new Server(connection);
        StringCollection sc = new StringCollection();
        sc.Add(Environment.CurrentDirectory + "\\db\\Xmain.mdf"); //Bin directory
        sc.Add(Environment.CurrentDirectory + "\\db\\Xmain_log.ldf");
        sqlServer.AttachDatabase("Xmain", sc);
        Database db = sqlServer.Databases["Xmain"];
        sqlBackup.Initialize = true;
        sqlBackup.Checksum = true;
        sqlBackup.ContinueAfterError = true;
        
        sqlBackup.Devices.Add(deviceItem);
        sqlBackup.Incremental = false;

        sqlBackup.ExpirationDate = DateTime.Now.AddDays(3);
        sqlBackup.LogTruncation = BackupTruncateLogType.Truncate;

        sqlBackup.FormatMedia = false;

        sqlBackup.SqlBackup(sqlServer);
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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team

    I am missing something here and need more context, but I will rant on for a second and see if anything is helpful.

    Do you mean actually back up the file, not the data? If so, the easy answer is no. The problem is SQL Server will lock the file when it is attached to the database server (SQL Express in this case). You can detatch and copy and then attach, but the application will be down during that time. This can also be done manually.

    If you want to backup the data, I would consider scheduling it within SQL Server rather than programmatic, unless you cannot do it that way. Backup is more of a maintenance function than a part of the program.

    As for your database name being empty, that is impossible. In fact, it looks like you are trying to set up a database called XMain.

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