# Backup and Restore https://docs.wisecp.com/en/backup-and-restore Back up the database, files and uploads on demand or on a schedule, and restore them when you need to. ## Opening the Screen In the left menu, click **Settings**, then **Security**, then **Backup** in the tab row. Address: `{admin}/settings/security?general=backup` The screen has four sub-tabs: **Settings**, **Backups**, **Schedules**, **Remote Storage**. Add `&backup=backups`, `&backup=schedules` or `&backup=storage` to open one directly. ## What Is on the Screen ### Settings **System Compatibility** checks the PHP features backups need and opens a details list if something is missing. **Disk Usage** shows free and used server space as a bar. Below them sit the **Backup Settings** card and a two-tab **Exclusions** card. ### Backups Lists every backup with **Backup**, **Destination**, **Created** and **Status** columns. Each row badges its contents (Database/Files/Uploads), and a running backup shows a progress bar. The **Create Backup** button above starts one on demand. ### Schedules Lists backups that run on their own, with **Name**, **Frequency**, **Destination**, **Next Run** and **Status** columns. The **Create Schedule** button above opens a new one. ### Remote Storage Lists the destinations backups can upload to, with **Name**, **Type**, **Created** and **Status** columns. The **Add Destination** button above connects a new provider. ## Fields ### Settings Tab - **Backup System**: Turns backups on or off. Turning it off asks for confirmation. While off, no backups run and existing ones stay. - **Backup Directory**: A path relative to the installation root, empty defaults to `backups`. The box checks the path as you type. - **Excluded Paths**: Check the folders and files to leave out of file backups from the tree. - **Excluded Tables**: Check tables to leave out of database backups; structure stays, data does not. The list starts with the largest table, so the ones actually inflating your backup sit at the top. ### Create Backup Window - **Remote Destination**: Defaults to **Local Only**. Only validated destinations appear in the list. - **Contents**: **Database**, **Files**, **Uploads** cards, all checked by default. With Files selected, Uploads is bundled into it. - **Keep local copy after upload**: Appears once you pick a remote destination. Turn it on and the file also stays on the server. ### Schedule Window - **Name**: Required. Identifies the schedule in the list and in the backup history. - **Enabled**: On by default. Off means it never runs; use Create Backup for a one-off. - **Notify when finished**: On by default. Emails the default recipient — usually the oldest admin, not you. The finished backup also shows up in that admin's panel bell; its View button opens the Backups tab. - **Remote Destination**: Defaults to **Local Only**; same list as the Create Backup window. - **Frequency**: **Hourly**, **Daily**, **Weekly** or **Monthly**; fields below change with your choice. - **Time**: Appears for every frequency except Hourly, defaults to 03:00. - **Day of Week**: Appears for Weekly. - **Day of Month**: Appears for Monthly, between 1 and 31. - **Retention Count**: Required, at least 1, defaults to 7. Older copies beyond this number are removed automatically. - **Keep local copy after upload**: Appears once you pick a remote destination; turn it on and the file also stays on the server. ### Add Destination Window - **Provider**: FTP, SFTP, Google Drive, OneDrive, Yandex Disk or Bunny Storage; shown when adding, not when editing. - **Name**: Required. Identifies the destination in the list and pickers. - **Connection Details**: Vary by provider: host, username and password for FTP/SFTP, an authorization window for cloud providers. ### Restore Window - **What to Restore**: Shows only the parts the backup holds, all checked by default. - **Enter your account password to confirm**: Required. Confirms that you are the one starting this action. ## Tasks ### Turning On and Configuring Backups 1. On the **Settings** sub-tab, switch on **Backup System**. 2. Change **Backup Directory** if needed, and check paths or tables to skip under **Exclusions**. 3. Click **Save** below the card. Every backup after this uses these settings. ### Creating and Downloading a Backup 1. On the **Backups** sub-tab, click **Create Backup** — disabled if the system is off or busy. 2. Pick a **Remote Destination** if you want one, check the **Contents** cards, and click **Create Backup** below. 3. Once the row reaches **Ready**, open its menu and choose **Download**. Enter your password and click **Download** below it; it starts in a new tab. 4. If it fails instead, choose **Retry** from its row menu to try again. ### Restoring From a Backup 1. Open the menu of a **Ready** row and choose **Restore**. 2. Check what to restore, enter your password, and click **Restore** below it. 3. The request queues and starts on the next cron run; track it on the same row. Cancel one that has not started with **Cancel Restore** from the row menu. ### Creating a Schedule 1. On the **Schedules** sub-tab, click **Create Schedule**. 2. Enter a **Name** and pick a **Frequency**, filling the time/day fields it shows. Choose **Contents** and a **Remote Destination** if you want one. 3. Click **Create Schedule** below. To change one, choose **Edit schedule** from its row menu. ### Adding a Remote Storage Destination 1. On the **Remote Storage** sub-tab, click **Add Destination** and pick a provider. 2. Enter a **Name** and the connection details it asks for, then test them with **Validate**. 3. Once it passes, click the **Add Destination** button that opens. To change one, choose **Edit destination** from its row menu (only folder/path edits re-test it). 4. To re-check an existing destination later, choose **Validate** from its row menu. ### Deleting a Backup, Schedule or Destination 1. From the row menu, choose **Delete backup**, **Delete schedule** or **Delete destination**. 2. Enter your password and confirm. A running backup or an in-use destination cannot be deleted. ## Things to Watch > **Restoring overwrites what is there now** > > A safety backup is taken first, and the site stays in maintenance mode until the restore finishes. Restoring the database may end your session. > **Deletion is permanent** > > Deleting a backup, schedule or remote destination cannot be undone. Only active schedules block it — old backups can then lose their destination and Download. > **Schedules depend on cron** > > If cron is not running, scheduled backups do not start and queued restores stall. ## Required Privileges Viewing the **Backup** tab and every action on it (create, download, restore, schedule, manage destinations) needs the **SECURITY_BACKUP** privilege. ## Related Articles - [Security Settings Overview](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/security-settings-overview) - [General Security Options](https://docs.wisecp.com/en/general-security-options)