view-a-database-snapshot-sql-server.md

title	View a Database Snapshot (SQL Server)
description	Learn how to view a SQL Server database snapshot using SQL Server Management Studio or Transact-SQL.
author	WilliamDAssafMSFT
ms.author	wiassaf
ms.reviewer	jopilov
ms.date	05/04/2023
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	supportability
ms.topic	how-to
helpviewer_keywords	database snapshots [SQL Server], viewing displaying database snapshots viewing database snapshots

View a Database Snapshot (SQL Server)

[!INCLUDE SQL Server]

This article explains how to view a [!INCLUDEssNoVersion] database snapshot using [!INCLUDEssManStudioFull].

Note

To create, revert to, or delete a database snapshot, you must use [!INCLUDEtsql].

Use SQL Server Management Studio

To view a database snapshot

1. In Object Explorer, connect to the instance of the [!INCLUDEssDEnoversion] and then expand that instance.

2. Expand Databases.

3. Expand Database Snapshots, and select the snapshot you want to view.

Use Transact-SQL

To view a database snapshot

1. Connect to the [!INCLUDEssDE].

2. From the Standard bar, select New Query.

3. To list the database snapshots of the instance of [!INCLUDEssNoVersion], query the source_database_id column of the sys.databases catalog view for non-NULL values.

4. You can also use this query to get details about the database snapshot and its files

   SELECT
    db_name(db.source_database_id) source_database,
    db.name AS snapshot_db_name,
    db.database_id,
    db.source_database_id,
    db.create_date,
    db.compatibility_level,
    db.is_read_only,
    mf.physical_name
   FROM sys.databases db
   INNER JOIN sys.master_files mf
    ON db.database_id = mf.database_id
   WHERE db.source_database_id is not null
    AND mf.is_sparse =1
   ORDER BY db.name;

Related Tasks

• Create a Database Snapshot (Transact-SQL)

• Revert a Database to a Database Snapshot

• Drop a Database Snapshot (Transact-SQL)

Next steps

• Database Snapshots (SQL Server)