🎓How to perform manual backup and restore it to a new Dental System installation

17 February 2026 | Updated 11.9.2026

If there is a need to install a new Dental System with restoring a full backup of the previous installation, for example if a customer has bought a new PC and has requested to install Dental System to a new PC with full backup from the previous installation, here is an instruction how to do it.

  1. Make sure that there is a manual backup from the previous installation. To do it, go to C:\ Drive and copy folders 3Shape and 3Shape Configuration to any external drive, or a new folder. 

NOTE: This is an important step, because if something goes wrong with automatic backup, made by Dental System installer, you will always restore all customer’s data from the manual backup.

 

2. Check which version of Dental System was previously installed on the PC. To do that go to search filed on the PC and run the command “appwiz.cpl” – the version of Dental System can be read in the list of the programs.

3. Make database backup using special command, using Command Prompt. Always open command prompt as administrator. Here is an example of the command to make database backup:

OSQL -S.\threeshapedental -Usa -P3SDMdbmspw -n -Q "BACKUP DATABASE DentalManager TO DISK='c:\Backup\dentalsystem_2026_1_backup_121212.backup'"

4. Save backup file on the special folder. For example: on C:\Backup\. When accessing the database for backing up or restoring, you will need the following information: 

NOTE! The values might be different if the system was configured using non-default settings, using a pre-existing SQL server instance. 

 

5. Go to www.partner.3shape.com Open the section Products – Software – Products Updates. Download Dental System installer the version that was previously installed. It is important, because restore backup you can only on the same version and same patch.

6. Make clean installation of Dental System. If this is a new PC and Dental System was not previously installed, then just run Dental System installer that you have previously downloaded. If you need to delete Dental System, do it from Installed Apps on windows. Choose all option to be deleted (SQL, dongle and database) – it means clean:

7. Reboot PC after deleting Dental System. 

8. Disable Firewall or any antivirus program, and ask the customer to turn off the scanner, if it was detected on the PC. Make sure that nothing will block 3shape ports before installation. 

NOTE: Always check the version of the scanner that the customer uses. If the scanner is an older version, it will not be compatible with higher Dental System version. For more information see the article of the software and scanner compatibility.

 

9. Run Dental. System installer as administrator. 

NOTE: Pay attention to the PC name and SQL credentials. If the customer has not standard instance, then ask the customer to insert the correct credentials before clicking to the next step during the installation.

 

10. Restore backup manually to the customer’s new system:

  •  Rename the folder “Library” on the C:\3Shape Configuration\Dental System\Dental System Control Panel\

  • Rename files Materials.xml, Dental System Settings.3ml, Manufacturers.3ml and OrderderFormCustomization.xml on the C:\3shape Configuration\Dental System\ Dental System Control Panel.

  • Go to the Backup folder that you previously made – open 3Shape Configuration\Dental System\Dental System Control Panel. Copy and replace files Materials.xml, Manufacturers.3ml, DentalSystemSettings.3ml, OrderFormCustomization.xml and “Library” folder from the manual backup folder to the C:\3shape Configuration\Dental System\Dental System Control Panel. Make sure you replace the files, not the full folder. 
  • Reran Dental System installer again. And pay attention on the PC name it could differ from the backup and the new PC, so you need to insert the correct PC name. Otherwise, the DS will not open. 
  • Open Dental System Control Panel – all materials should be restored.

11. Restore database using a special command in Command Prompt. Always open command prompt as Administrator. Here is an example of the command to restore database backup:

OSQL -S.\threeshapedental -Usa -P3SDMdbmspw -n -Q "RESTORE DATABASE DentalManager FROM DISK='c:\Backup\dentalsystem_2026_1_backup_121212.backup' WITH REPLACE"

12. Upgrade Dental System to the version that customer need (for example highest Dental System version).

13. If there is no database backup, or database backup file is corrupted, you can always import cases manually from 3shape folder, made from manual backup. Here is an example of importing multiple orders:

  • Open Dental Manager.
  • Right-click on the main menu and use option: “Import multiple orders”.

  • Choose the folder from which the orders need to be imported, for example 3shape, then press “search” button. And after that press “select all” button and import all needed orders.

14. The installation with full backup restoring is complete. Ask the customer to check if everything is working. If there is a need to calibrate the scanned before work – ask the customer to do it. Do not forget to enable firewall back to work, if it was disabled before Dental System installation. 

Was this article helpful?