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Here is a method to determine the SQL Build from a bak file. &nbsp; <br />
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<a href="https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/264474/you-cannot-restore-system-database-backups-to-a-different-build-of-sql-server" rel="ugc">https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/264474/you-cannot-restore-system-database-backups-to-a-different-build-of-sql-server</a>
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Here is a method to determine the SQL Build from a bak file.  

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/264474/you-cannot-restore-system-database-backups-to-a-different-build-of-sql-server [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/264474/you-cannot-restore-system-database-backups-to-a-different-build-of-sql-server]

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Instead of installing all versions and trying to identify. You may try, best possible way using <b> SysTools Backup Recovery</b>. Which not only shows the backup file also repair and recover SQL Server backup file from Corruption. You may try demo version of <a href="https://www.systoolsgroup.com/sql-backup-recovery.html" rel="ugc">Free SQl Backup Recovery tool</a> and take test of its feature. And This demo version will show the SQL Server database version. Have a Look: <a href="https://www.systoolsgroup.com/sql-backup-recovery/how-it-works.html" rel="ugc">https://www.systoolsgroup.com/sql-backup-recovery/how-it-works.html</a>
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Instead of installing all versions and trying to identify. You may try, best possible way using SysTools Backup Recovery. Which not only shows the backup file also repair and recover SQL Server backup file from Corruption. You may try demo version of Free SQl Backup Recovery tool [https://www.systoolsgroup.com/sql-backup-recovery.html] and take test of its feature. And This demo version will show the SQL Server database version. Have a Look: https://www.systoolsgroup.com/sql-backup-recovery/how-it-works.html [https://www.systoolsgroup.com/sql-backup-recovery/how-it-works.html]

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I have .bak and .trn &nbsp;backups from an unknown Microsoft SQL Server version. &nbsp; <br />
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Does anyone know if there Is there is a way to tell what version of Microsoft SQL created the files, short of installing every version and testing...
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I have .bak and .trn  backups from an unknown Microsoft SQL Server version.   

Does anyone know if there Is there is a way to tell what version of Microsoft SQL created the files, short of installing every version and testing...

Restoring  .bak and .trn files  created by an unknown version of Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft SQL Server is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.SQL Server is available in multiple versions, typically identified by release year, and versions are subdivided into editions to distinguish between product functionality. Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning.

Microsoft SQL Server

The term "Backup" means the methods and processes involved to copy computer data (system data as well as application data) to media other than the ones where the data originally live (disk, tape, optical, cloud). "Restore" in turn means the methods and processes involved in data recovery, i. e., bringing back copied computer data to their original location. Backup/Restore primarily serves as a means of protection against data loss, be it due to disaster, corruption or sabotage. It can also be used for recovering data from an earlier point in time and even for cloning machines or applications. There is a wide variety of backup/restore software available, from expensive commercial products to free or open source tools.