---
title: How to Extract Pressable Backups
url: "https://pressable.com/knowledgebase/how-to-extract-pressable-backups/"
published: 2021-08-12
modified: 2024-08-19
author: Wayne McWilliams
---

Due to the method used to create our [backup archives](https://pressable.com/knowledgebase/accessing-backups/) and their resulting file type (.bz2), some users on **Windows** devices may have difficulty extracting them in the same way you would extract a standard .zip or .rar file. Below you can find instructions on how to use [WinRAR](https://www.win-rar.com/download.html) and [WinZip](https://www.winzip.com/en/download/winzip/) to correctly extract Pressable backups.

Please note that 7zip is currently **not** suitable for this process.

### First Steps (mandatory):

1. [Download your site backup](https://pressable.com/knowledgebase/accessing-backups/) from your My Pressable Control Panel.
2. The file you download will have a name similar to: **pressable-backup-yoursitename-2021-08-05.bz2**
3. Change the file name so that it ends with `.tar.bz2` instead of `.bz2`, e.g. **pressable-backup-yoursitename-2021-08-05.tar.bz2**

### [WinRAR](https://www.win-rar.com/download.html)

1. Run WinRAR as an Administrator (Important! Extracting the archive will fail if you skip this step).
2. Using the WinRAR file explorer (**not** Windows File Explorer), navigate to your backup archive, select it, click “Extract to” and select the destination for the extracted files.
3. Your backup files will now be extracted to the location of your choice.

### [WinZip](https://www.winzip.com/en/download/winzip/)

1. Right-click your backup archive and select **Open with WinZip**.
2. You will see a prompt asking you to confirm the extraction process. Click “Yes” to continue.
    ![](https://i0.wp.com/pressable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/winzip1.png?resize=400%2C179&ssl=1)
3. Once this process is complete, you will see a second prompt asking if you’d like to extract the contents within. Click “Yes, unzip the files to a folder I choose” and select the destination for the extracted files.![](https://i0.wp.com/pressable.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/winzip2.png?resize=400%2C215&ssl=1)
4. Your backup files will now be extracted to the location of your choice.