Step by Step Tutorial to backup database in SQL Server Management Studio 2005, 2008, 2008R2 and 2012

In this article I will provide a step by step tutorial to backup database in SQL Server Management Studio 2005, 2008, 2008R2 and 2012.
 
Preparing for Backup
In the Object Explorer of SQL Server 2005, right click on the database then select Tasks and within that Backup. In the figure below I have selected NorthWind Database.

Preparing for backup

Choose the database and Backup type
Though you have right clicked the appropriate database still you can change the database using the dropdown. Also you have to choose the backup type since we need to transfer the complete database we will choose Full Backup.

Choose the database and Backup type

Define Backup Set
Here you can specify the name of the Backup set and also when the backup set will expire. By default there is no expiry.

Define Backup Set

Set the location of the backup file
Here one has to choose the folder where the backup file will be created. Click on the Add button to set the path and the backup file name

Set the location of the backup file

Choose the folder path
Here by clicking on the browse button you can choose the path where you want the backup file to be created.

Choose the folder path

As you can see the Locate Database Window is opened. Here choose the folder where you want to create the backup of the database also provide a name to the backup file e.g. NorthWindDB.BAK. Backup files have a .BAK extension.

Locate Database

Verify the backup file
Once the OK button is clicked the backup file is created on the location that you have chosen. You can navigate to the folder to verify it

Verify the backup file