How to Download and Restore Northwind database to SQL Server

This post shows you How to Download and Restore the Northwind database to SQL Server, then you can use the Northwind database as a sample database to learn SQL Server.

How do I create a Northwind database?

Northwind database that can be downloaded as an executable sql script or as a backup file that can be restored with sample data currently works with Sql Server 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2016 & 2017.

You can download the Northwind database at Codeplex or Foxlearn, unzip your file download, then you can see Northwind.bak file

You need to login to your sql server, then right click on the database -> select Restore Database...

restore sql database

Select your backup database file

backup database

Enter your database name that you want to restore

restore sql database

Click OK button to finish restore your database to SQL Server.

What is the Northwind database?

The Northwind database is a sample database provided with Microsoft Office suite. The Northwind database contains sales data of a fictional company called Northwind Trader, specializing in the export and import of specialty foods from around the world.