What requirements are important to successfully restore SQL Server databases?

FAQ000259064

19 July 2023

Microsoft SQL Server is installed and running successfully
Microsoft SQL Server VSS writer service is running 

additional requirements when restoring to another computer

The Microsoft SQL Server instance name must be exactly the same on the new computer as it was on the original computer. If the instance names do not match the restore will fail.
Restore of user databases require the Microsoft SQL Server version on the new computer to be higher or the same as the original computer. 
Restore of system databases require the Microsoft SQL Server version on the new computer to be the exact same as the original computer.  

Refer to FAQ000259041 for clarification on instance names 
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