Question :
We are having an issue at trying to restore a database:
System.Data.SqlClient.SqlError: The database was backed up on a server
running version 13.00.4001. That version is incompatible with this
server, which is running version 12.00.2269. Either restore the
database on a server that supports the backup, or use a backup that is
compatible with this server.
Answer :
Install sql server 2016 developer edition, its free for dev purpose only. Restore the database on 2016 instance and then use this method to move your data back to older version.
Note: be mindful of enterprise features vs standard edition feature incompatiblity and limitations.
The only possible solution is to get a version of SQL Server that is version 2016 or higher. You are currently running version 2014. It is not possible to restore a database to an older version of SQL Server. You can only restore forward.
Once it’s restored you can use a number of different methods to copy the database over. For example script the database out, and then copy the data table by table.
You are trying to restore a backup from SQL Server 2016 to a SQL Server 2014 system. You cannot restore new backups on old systems, you can restore old backups on new systems however.
Version of SQL Server you need to install.
Detailed post on why you can’t restore a new backup on an old server by Brian Kelley vis MSSQLTips