---
title: "How to schedule automatic backups with SiteWorx"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/hosting/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/how-to-schedule-automatic-backups-with-siteworx/"
description: "Learn how clients on physical (non-cloud) servers can schedule automatic backups for their service using SiteWorx."
vertical: "Hosting"
date: "2019-09-10"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# How to schedule automatic backups with SiteWorx

## **What you need**

- An account on a physical (non-cloud) server. If you wish to schedule backups on your Cloud account, please contact our support team [by email ](mailto:support@nexcess.net)or through your Client Portal.
- Login credentials for your SiteWorx account. 
    - If you do not know your password, click **Forgot your password** on the login page.
    - If you do not know the web address for your SiteWorx login page, either refer to your Welcome Email or [contact our 24/7 support team for assistance](mailto:support@nexcess.net).
- Available disk space on your server; you may view available disk space from your SiteWorx home page.
- A previous request to our support team to enable backups, as SiteWorx backups are disabled by default.

## **Method**

This procedure explains how to schedule automatic backups with SiteWorx. If you want to perform a single, immediate backup, refer to [How to perform a one-time backup with SiteWorx](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/website-management/one-time-backups/).

**ATTENTION**: Full backups and structure-only backups cannot be restored with SiteWorx. If you have a shared or SIP plan, or are unsure, contact our support team [by email ](mailto:support@nexcess.net)or through your Client Portal and specify the data and the date of restoration.

1. Log in to your SiteWorx account. 
    - If you do not know your password, click **Forgot your password** on the login page.
    - If you do not know the web address for your SiteWorx login page, either refer to your Welcome Email or [contact our 24/7 support team for assistance](mailto:support@nexcess.net).
2. In the main menu, click **Backups > Schedule.**  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568143177349-1568143177349.png)
3. On the “Schedule Backups” screen, click **Create Scheduled Backup**.![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568143240141-1568143240141.png)
4. In the “Additional input is required” panel, from the **Frequency** drop-down list, select either **Weekly** or **Monthly**, as desired.  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568143310359-1568143310359.png)
5. In the same panel (see above), from the **Backup Type** drop-down list, select one: 
    1. **Full Backup**: Backs up all web files, databases, and email settings. This will not save individual emails.
    2. **Partial Backup**: Backs up only the elements you choose. You will make this selection after you click **Continue**.
    3. **Structure-Only Backup**: Backs up only information related to your SiteWorx account, such as usernames, passwords, quotas, and other settings.
6. In the same panel see above ), from the **Backup Where** drop-down list, specify the location to store the backup. Regardless of your choice, you may also use SiteWorx to retrieve the backup. Refer to [How to download backup files in SiteWorx](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/file-management/dlownload-backups/)for more information. 
    - **Default Location**: Stores the backup at the following path, where \[username\] is the first 8 characters of your domain name, and \[example.com\] is your domain name: `/home/[username]/[domain.com]/iworx-backup/`
    - **Local File**: Stores the backup at the location you specify after you click **Continue**.
    - **FTP**: Stores the backup on another server using FTP; you will enter additional details during Step 9.
    - **SFTP/SCP**: Stores the backup on another server using SFTP or SCP; you will enter additional details during Step 9.
7. Click **Continue**.
8. The Schedule Backup panel will now ask for additional information, which will depend on the choices you made in Step 5 and Step 6 (see above): 
    1. In the **Email status to**: field, enter the email address to receive backup status updates. By default, SiteWorx uses the email address associated with your SiteWorx account.
    2. **If you selected a partial backup in Step 5**, in the Backup Type section, indicate the data type or types to be backed up.
    3. **If you selected FTP or SFTP/SCP in Step 6**, in the Backup Where section, enter the path, login credentials, hostname, and port.
    4. In the Backup When section, indicate your preferred hour and day for the backup to occur.  
        ![Example ’Create Backup’ Page for a SFTP/SCP Backup Type](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568143402938-1568143402938.png "Example ’Create Backup’ Page for a SFTP/SCP Backup Type")
9. Once you have specified all of the necessary information, click **Schedule Backup.** The duration of the operation will vary according to your individual choices, but SiteWorx will send a notification email designated in Step 8a when complete.

After the backup is complete, the stored files are compressed into a .tgz file and stored in the specified location.

You can download, open, and decompress the file using common file compression programs, such as WinZip, Zipeg, Gunzip, or a default program on your operating system. Refer to [How to download backup files with SiteWorx](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/siteworx/file-management/dlownload-backups/) for more information.

***For 24-hour assistance any day of the year, contact our support team [by email ](mailto:support@nexcess.net)or through your Client Portal.***