Restoring a backup to an older version of SQL Server When trying to restore a backup to a SQL Server Express 2008 database I got the following error:

Restore failed for Server '...\SQLEXPRESS'.  (Microsoft.SqlServer.SmoExtended)
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: The database was backed up on a server running version
10.50.1600. 
That version is incompatible with this server, which is running version 10.00.2531. 
Either restore the database on a server that supports the backup, or use a backup 
that is compatible with this server. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)


Is there a way to get a backup which is compatible with the older (in my case 10.00.2531) version from the newer (in my case 10.50.1600) version of SQL Server Express?
You'd have use the Import/Export wizards in SSMS to migrate everything

There is no "downgrade" possible using backup/restore or detach/attach