diff --git a/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.cmd b/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.cmd
index d74b8ae2..347e06cf 100644
--- a/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.cmd
+++ b/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.cmd
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ REM Copy the backup file, restore the database, create necessary objects and dat
 echo Copying sales database backup file to SQL Master instance...
 %DEBUG% kubectl cp tpcxbb_1gb.bak mssql-master-pool-0:/var/opt/mssql/data -c mssql-server -n %CLUSTER_NAMESPACE% || goto exit
 
+REM Download and copy the sample backup files
 if /i %AW_WWI_SAMPLES% EQU --install-extra-samples (
     if NOT EXIST AdventureWorks2016_EXT.bak (
         echo Downloading AdventureWorks2016_EXT sample database backup file...
@@ -71,6 +72,10 @@ if /i %AW_WWI_SAMPLES% EQU --install-extra-samples (
 echo Configuring sample database(s)...
 %DEBUG% sqlcmd -S %SQL_MASTER_INSTANCE% -Usa -P%SQL_MASTER_SA_PASSWORD% -i "%STARTUP_PATH%bootstrap-sample-db.sql" -o "bootstrap.out" -I -b -v SA_PASSWORD="%KNOX_PASSWORD%" || goto exit
 
+REM remove files copied into the pod:
+echo Removing database backup files...
+kubectl exec mssql-master-pool-0 -c mssql-server -i -t -- bash -c "rm -rvf /var/opt/mssql/data/*.bak"
+
 for %%F in (web_clickstreams inventory customer) do (
     if NOT EXIST %%F.csv (
         echo Exporting %%F data...
diff --git a/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.sh b/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.sh
index 92fb198c..f3f65b01 100644
--- a/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.sh
+++ b/samples/features/sql-big-data-cluster/bootstrap-sample-db.sh
@@ -78,6 +78,10 @@ echo Configuring sample database...
 export SA_PASSWORD=$KNOX_PASSWORD
 $DEBUG sqlcmd -S $SQL_MASTER_INSTANCE -Usa -P$SQL_MASTER_SA_PASSWORD -I -b < "$STARTUP_PATH/bootstrap-sample-db.sql" > "bootstrap.out" || (echo $ERROR_MESSAGE && exit 2)
 
+# remove files copied into the pod:
+echo Removing database backup files...
+kubectl exec mssql-master-pool-0 -c mssql-server -i -t -- bash -c "rm -rvf /var/opt/mssql/data/*.bak"
+
 for table in web_clickstreams inventory customer
     do
     echo Exporting $table data...