Create Website Backup Files in cPanel

Keeping a backup of your website is crucial for various scenarios, such as making changes or recovering from server errors after updates. Additionally, keeping a local copy of your files is highly recommended, especially during hosting migrations.

cPanel offers two options for generating backups:

1. cPanel Backup
2. cPanel Backup Wizard

We will guide you through the process of creating full and partial backups using both options.
 

cPanel Backup

Full Backup

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Go to the Files section and click Backup.
3. Click Download a Full Account Backup.
4. On the Backup Destination field, select Home Directory.
5. Enter your email address to receive a notification about the backup file you requested. Under that, you can enable the Do not send email notification option if you don't want the system to notify you that the backup process is complete.
6. Click Generate Backup.

You will see a message that says "Full Backup in Progress". You can return to the Backup page by clicking on the Go Back button.

Next, download the full website backup file:

1. In cPanel, go to the Files section and select File Manager.
2. Ensure you're in the home directory folder.
3. Locate the backup file, right click on it, and select Download.

You will see the download progress in the top-right corner of your browser. The file will be saved to your computer automatically.

Partial Backup

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Go to the Files section and click Backup.
3. Under the Partial Backups section, select the type of partial backup you want to download: Home Directory, MySQL Databases, Email Forwarders, and Email Filters.

You will see the download progress in the top-right corner of your browser. The file will be saved to your computer automatically.

cPanel Backup Wizard

Full Backup

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Go to the Files section and select Backup Wizard.
3. Click the Back Up button.
4. Click Full Backup.
   NOTE:
   This option can be used to move your account to another server or download a copy of your account. Full Backups cannot be restored through the cPanel interface.
5. On the Backup Destination field, select Home Directory.
6. Enter your email address to receive a notification about the backup file you requested. Under that, you can enable the Do not send email notification option if you don't want the system to notify you that the backup process is complete.
7. Click Generate Backup.

You will see a message that says "Full Backup in Progress". You can return to the Backup page by clicking on the Go Back button.

Next, download the full website backup file:

1. In cPanel, go to the Files section and select File Manager.
2. Ensure you're in the home directory folder.
3. Locate the backup file, right click on it, and select Download.

You will see the download progress in the top-right corner of your browser. The file will be saved to your computer automatically.

Partial Backup

1. Log in to your cPanel.
2. Go to the Files section and click Backup Wizard.
3. Click the Back Up button.
4. On the right side, under Select Partial Backup, choose the type of file you want to download: Home Directory, MySQL Databases, Email Forwarders, and Email Filters.
5. On the Final Step page, click the corresponding button for the file you want to download.

You will see the download progress in the top-right corner of your browser. The file will be saved to your computer automatically.

Backup vs Backup Wizard

The Backup option and the Backup Wizard are essentially the same feature. The main difference between them is their interfaces. The Backup option displays multiple options on a single screen, while the Backup Wizard takes users through the backup process one step at a time.