How to backup courses in Moodle

Method 1: Using Moodle Backup

Instructor can make use of the Moodle built-in Backup function to create Moodle Backup File (.mbz) for their courses. Each backup file contains the course's materials, content and setting, but not student grades nor enrollment.

The Moodle backup file cannot be opened from the local computer to extract files uploaded to the course. It can only be used to restore a course within Moodle.

Method 2: Using Download Center

Instructor can use the Download Center to create a ZIP archive (.zip) to backup files and Moodle pages of a course. The ZIP file would not contain settings, grades, or enrollment data, however, it can be read without Moodle.
 

Backup Procedure

 

How to use Moodle Backup

Step 1: Log in to Moodle and access the course you wish to perform the backup.Screenshot of Moodle course overview
 
Step 2: In the Administration > Course administration, click on Backup. Screenshot of course administration block
Step 3: The entire backup process is divided into 5 sub-steps. On the Initial settings page select which the type of content to be included in the backup, then click Next.Screenshot of Moodle backup step 1
 
Step 4: Under the Schema settings page, further select the content to be included in the backup file, then click Next.Screenshot of backup schema settings page
 
Step 5: On the Confirmation and Review page, review the backup settings.  You can provide a different filename for the backup file by filling in the filename field. Once everything is confirmed, click on Perform backup.Screenshot of Moodle backup confirmation and review page
 
Step 6: The backup process will begins.  Once completed, a confirmation message will be displayed "The backup file was successfully created". Screenshot of Moodle backup completed
 
Step 7: The backup file will be placed under the user's private backup area. Click on Download to download the file to your computer. Screenshot of Moodle course User private backup area
 

How to use Download Center

Step 1: Log in to Moodle and access the course to be backed up. Screenshot of Moodle course Navigation
 
Step 2: Click the Download center link in the Navigation block. Screenshot of Download center link
 
Step 3: Select the content to be included in the backup, then click Create ZIP archive to download the file.Screenshot of Moodle backup step 1