Note: Use /export show-sensitive to include passwords and secrets in the export. 4. How to Restore a .backup File
The most reliable way to "read" a backup file without a physical router is to restore it to a virtual Cloud Hosted Router (CHR) .
A system backup in RouterOS creates a full clone of a router's configuration in a binary format. It captures everything from firewall rules and interface settings to logs, statistics, and sensitive data like passwords and certificates. Because it is a complete, low-level snapshot, it is the ideal tool for disaster recovery or restoring a device to a known state.
By following these guidelines and best practices, you'll be able to ensure that your Mikrotik device's configuration is safely backed up and can be easily restored in case of an emergency. open mikrotik backup file
If your file ends in .rsc , it is already a plain text document. You do not need specialized decryption tools to view its contents. Step-by-Step Viewing Right-click the .rsc file on your computer. Select .
To understand the methodology of opening a backup, one must first distinguish between the two primary formats used by RouterOS.
How to Open and Read a MikroTik Backup File (.backup vs .rsc) Note: Use /export show-sensitive to include passwords and
⚠️ This overwrites the . The router will adopt the settings from the backup file.
A MikroTik backup is created using the /system backup save command and typically has a .backup extension. It is a binary snapshot of a device's configuration, containing much more than just settings. According to official MikroTik documentation, a system backup includes not only the configuration but also critical data like —all stored in a proprietary binary format.
The only officially supported way to view the contents of a .backup file is to restore it onto a MikroTik router or a Virtual Routing Engine (CHR). Step-by-Step Restoration via WinBox: A system backup in RouterOS creates a full
Upload your .backup file to the router via:
Select the file and click Restore . The router will reboot.