I can't restore my database on SQL Server 2012. Exceeds size I'm trying to restore a database from a .bak file. The file is only 89.3 mb large. I'm using the restore with replace option, so that all other data in the database is removed. We are just trying to get the latest data from out clients.

But I get an error saying that I will exceed my limit of 10GB. My server instance is, using 

select @@version:

Microsoft SQL Server 2012 - 11.0.2100.60 (X64)   
Feb 10 2012 19:39:15   
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation Express Edition (64-bit) on Windows NT 6.1 &lt;X64&gt; (Build 7601: Service Pack 1) 


Could someone please tell me why I can't get my database to restore. Do I have to get the full version of 2012? We are using the Express version
Express Edition limits the size of the database to 10 GB.

The backup is small because it only contains pages that are used -- regardless of whether or not the backup is compressed -- but the original file sizes will be restored to the size they were when they were backed up. The file sizes are what count against the limit.

Assuming this is the problem, the only solutions are to shrink the files before taking the backup, or restore the backup on a different edition (probably Developer edition).