Exporting configuration from MikroTik devices is vital for several reasons. Firstly, it allows network administrators to keep a record of the device's configuration, which can be useful for auditing and compliance purposes. Secondly, it enables administrators to restore the device to a previous working configuration in case of a failure or a mistake. Additionally, exporting configuration helps in migrating to a new device or upgrading to a newer version of the RouterOS operating system.
If you are managing a MikroTik router using RouterOS, one of the first skills you need to master is saving your configuration. While many users are familiar with the graphical "Backup" feature (which creates a .backup file), the function is often overlooked, despite being significantly more versatile.
If you type export and hit enter, the router will dump your entire configuration to the terminal screen. This is useful for quick copy-pasting into a notepad. mikrotik export configuration
+----------------------------------+----------------------------------+ | # MIKROTIK EXPORT - 2026-04-14 | /ip address | | /interface bridge add name=local | add address=192.168.1.1/24 | | /interface wireless set wlan1 | interface=bridge | | mode=ap-bridge ssid=Office | /ip route add gateway=1.1.1.1 | | /ip pool add name=dhcp_pool | /system identity set name=RBMain | | ranges=192.168.1.100-192.168...| | +----------------------------------+----------------------------------+
Then download via menu (WinBox/WebFig) or SCP. Exporting configuration from MikroTik devices is vital for
This creates a file named my-config-backup.rsc .
/export compact
If the router has a serial console connected to a printer (obsolete), you could:
