A selective backup is useful when you need one part of an account rather than a complete archive. Choose the actual data categories carefully: an FTP-settings backup does not automatically mean all files uploaded through FTP are included.
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Check access and requirements
Identify the recovery task and its dependencies. Mail account definitions and mailbox contents are separate kinds of information, while a database backup may need matching website files or application configuration to be usable.
01 Create a selective email, FTP-settings or database backup in DirectAdmin
- Open Advanced Features > Create/Restore Backups. Clear selections that are not part of the intended scope.
- For email recovery, select the mail data and settings categories needed for the job, including forwarders or other configuration only when appropriate.
- For database recovery, select the database content and required settings. For FTP access configuration, select the FTP settings category, and separately include website data if the transferred files must also be preserved.
- Start the backup and wait for the message-system completion report. Review warnings rather than interpreting the queued status as success.
- Download the completed archive from the account backup directory through File Manager. Label it with its limited scope and store it outside the hosting account.
How do I check the selected backup contents?
Inspect the archive and test the relevant restore procedure in an isolated destination. Confirm that the particular mailbox content, database or settings you intended to preserve are actually present.
Resolve setup problems
If an expected component is missing, create a corrected backup before making destructive changes. Do not use a selective archive as evidence that the whole account is protected. A mailbox or database restore can overwrite newer data, so plan a separate cutover or reconciliation for live systems.