Taking regular backups of your website is one of the most important practices to protect your data. Whether you’re about to make big changes, migrating to another hosting provider, or simply want peace of mind a full cPanel backup gives you a copy of your entire account, including files, emails, databases, DNS settings, and more.
The good news? You can do this without technical knowledge and directly from your cPanel dashboard.
In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to generate and download a full backup of your cPanel account, when you should use it, and what’s included.

What Is a Full cPanel Backup?

A full cPanel backup includes everything related to your hosting account, such as:

• All website files (e.g. WordPress, HTML, images)

• Databases (MySQL, MariaDB)

• Email accounts and email messages

• Subdomains and addon domains

• DNS zone configurations

• Cron jobs and SSL certificates

Note: You can’t restore a full backup manually via cPanel unless your host allows it. Full backups are primarily meant for migrations or for your host’s support to restore.

Step-by-Step: How to Download a Full cPanel Backup

Step 1: Log in to cPanel

Go to the cPanel login page provided by your hosting company. It usually looks like:

Use the username and password shared by your host.

Step 2: Locate the Backup Section

Once inside cPanel:

• Scroll down to the Files section
  

• Click on Backup or Backup Wizard (either option will work we’ll use Backup here)

Step 3: Generate a Full Backup

1. Under Full Backup, click Download a Full Website Backup
   
   

2. On the next screen:

   • Backup Destination: Select “Home Directory”

   • Email Address: Enter your email to get notified once the backup is ready

3. Click Generate Backup
   
   

Depending on your account size, this may take a few minutes to a few hours. You’ll receive an email notification when it’s complete.

Step 4: Download the Backup File

Once the backup is ready:

1. Go back to the Backup page in cPanel

2. Under Backups Available for Download, you’ll see the file usually named like:

   backup-6.20.2025_12-34-56_username.tar.gz

3. Right-click and choose Download or just click on the file link to begin the download

Save this file in a secure folder on your computer or cloud storage. It’s your full website snapshot.

Bonus: Using Backup Wizard (Beginner-Friendly Alternative)

If you prefer a simplified interface:

1. Click Backup Wizard from the cPanel home screen

2. Choose Backup

3. Click Full Backup

4. Select Home Directory and enter your email

5. Click Generate Backup

This wizard guides you through the same process but in a more step-by-step format.

What to Do With the Backup File?

• For migration: Provide this file to your new hosting provider

• For safety: Store it securely in your external storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.)

• For recovery: If your site is hacked or broken, your hosting provider can use it to restore

Best Practices When Taking Backups

• Back up before major updates, like plugin installations, migrations, or code changes

• Don’t store too many backups on the server download and delete older ones

• Name your files clearly, e.g., backup-june-2025.tar.gz

• Never share your backup file publicly it contains sensitive data

What’s Not Included in Partial Backups?

Sometimes users only use partial backups, which are found below the full backup section:

• Home Directory: Only website files (no database or email)

• MySQL Databases: Only your site’s databases

• Email Forwarders and Filters: Just email rules

These are useful for small, specific restorations but not suitable for full site recovery or migration.

Final Thoughts

Backing up your website isn’t just a best practice it’s your safety net. With cPanel’s built-in tools, you don’t need to be a developer or tech-savvy person to take control of your data.
Just a few clicks in the Backup section, and you’ll have a full copy of your website and email stored safely. Make it a routine, especially before making changes and you’ll always be one step ahead of unexpected issues.