Where Does MikroTik RouterOS Store Backups and Exports?
RouterOS keeps binary backups (.backup) and text exports (.rsc) in the router file store, reached through Files in WinBox or /file print on the CLI.
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RouterOS stores backups on the router itself, not on your PC, until you copy them off. Binary backups come from /system backup save and land as .backup files. Text exports come from the export command and land as .rsc scripts. Both appear in the file list for download over WinBox, FTP, or SFTP.
The flash prefix matters on many models. Files outside the flash directory can disappear across reboots, taking your only backup with them. Make backup creation, flash prefixed paths, and off router copies one habit and most RouterOS data loss stories never happen.
Where MikroTik RouterOS stores this, by platform
/file
Router file store holding .backup and .rsc files. List with /file print, fetch with WinBox drag and drop or FTP. Keep backups under flash/ for persistence across reboots.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use backup or export for migration?
Use the export for moves between models and the backup for same model recovery. Backups embed MAC addresses and restore onto different hardware causes trouble, which the official docs warn about. Exports are plain scripts you can read and edit first.
Why did my backup disappear after reboot?
Prefix paths with flash/ so files land on persistent storage, since files outside flash may vanish on reboot. Check with /file print and move anything important. Saving backups straight to USB with usb1/ works the same way.
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