How to backup a large (100gb+) microsoft sql database for occasional "offline" use? I have a Microsoft SQL database that's over 100gb currently in service. It's due to be decommissioned but I want to keep the data for occasional use without paying for a Microsoft SQL licence (currently provided as part of a monthly subscription by my server provider). Unfortunately Microsoft SQL express has a size limit that is much lower than my database size. What options do I have for retaining this data for only occasional use by a single user?
If the primary goal is to save money (i.e. not licensing Standard, let alone Enterprise, edition) you’ll need to be creative and accept a certain amount of inconvenience. Some ideas:


Purge any data you know you don't need
Break it up into smaller database that do fit on Express (by date, by table, by subject, whatever fits)
Export it to an open source system (Postrgres, MySQL)
Save it in on the cloud (Azure, others), using a plan that best supports infrequent access
Store it outside of a database, on a per-table basis (ASCII file, Spreadsheet)