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Download Softaculous Backups to Your Computer

This guide shows you how to download a backup that Softaculous made, so you have a safe copy outside your hosting account.

Softaculous2 min read10 steps

Why download a backup?

A backup is a spare copy of your site. Softaculous is a tool in cPanel that installs apps such as WordPress, and it can also back them up. Backups stay on your hosting account by default. If the account has a big problem, you could lose both the site and its backup. A copy on your own computer is safer. It is like keeping a spare house key at a friend's home.

cPanel is the control panel where you manage your hosting. Ask Hostvento support if Softaculous is on your plan.

Before you start

You need to have a backup already. If you do not, see our guide on creating a backup in Softaculous. Make sure you have enough free space on your computer, because backups can be large.

Steps

  1. Log in to cPanel from your client area.
  2. Open Softaculous Apps Installer.
  3. Click Backups in the top menu. You may need to click the menu icon on small screens.
  4. Find the backup you need. Check the date and the note you wrote.
  5. Click the Download icon next to it. It is often an arrow pointing down.
  6. Your browser starts to download a file with the ending .tar.gz or .zip.
  7. Wait for the download to finish and save the file in a safe folder.

Another way using File Manager

Softaculous keeps backup files in a folder in your account. You can download them from there.

  1. In cPanel, open File Manager.
  2. Find the Softaculous backup folder. It is often named softaculous_backups in your home folder. If it is not there, enable Show Hidden Files in the File Manager settings.
  3. Right-click the backup file and choose Download.

If the file is too big

Large backups may stop partway. Try a steady connection, or use an FTP program. FTP is a way to move files between your computer and hosting. Ask Hostvento support for your FTP details if you do not know them.

Good to know

  • Do not open or change the file. Keep it as it is.
  • Backups can hold private data, like passwords. Store them safely.
  • Restore from the Backups page. Upload the file back if it is no longer on your hosting.
Tip: Name the saved file with the date and site name, such as mysite-2025-01-15.tar.gz.

Quick recap

  • Downloading gives you a copy outside your hosting.
  • Open Backups in Softaculous and click Download.
  • You can also use File Manager.
  • Store the file safely.