Once restored, use the terminal command /export file=readable_config to generate a .rsc file, which is a plain-text script you can open in any text editor. 2. Use Third-Party Decryption Tools
Use the /export command described in Section 2 to create a readable .rsc file instead of using the "Backup" button. To help you further, are you trying to: Migrate settings to a new, different router? Read specific settings to copy them? Automate backups?
Enter the backup password (if one was set) and click again. The router will reboot to apply the settings. 2. Reading Contents on a Computer
To avoid the headache of trying to open binary files in the future, get into the habit of generating plaintext script exports alongside your system backups. open mikrotik backup file
Install MikroTik's CHR in a virtual machine (like Hyper-V or VirtualBox).
: It includes configurations, MAC addresses, and hardware-specific details.
| File Type | Can you open it? | How to read it | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | .backup | No (binary/encrypted) | Restore onto a MikroTik device, then /export | | .rsc | Yes (plain text) | Any text editor | To help you further, are you trying to:
A Mikrotik backup file is a file that contains a copy of the device's configuration, including all settings, rules, and data. This file is created using the Mikrotik device's built-in backup feature, which allows administrators to save the device's configuration to a file. The backup file can be used to restore the device to a previous state in case of a failure or configuration loss.
: Go to Files and click Upload to select your .backup file.
: A .backup file contains low-level device identities, including system MAC addresses and specific hardware drivers. Restoring it onto an entirely different hardware model can cause the system to freeze or crash. Method 1: The Safe Sandbox Approach (Using CHR) Enter the backup password (if one was set) and click again
At its core, a MikroTik backup file is a container for numerous pairs of .dat (data) and .idx (index) files. These pairs represent various parts of the router's configuration (e.g., firewall rules, interfaces, users). Specialized tools can unpack a .backup file, revealing these raw, still-binary data chunks.
Method 1: Using a "Virtual" MikroTik (CHR) to Read the Backup
Before attempting to open a file, it is crucial to understand the two ways MikroTik handles backups:
There are alternative methods to open a Mikrotik backup file: