Acronis backup data restore guide on VPS with Plesk

Once you have created and activated Backup Plans via the Acronis Backup Extension, you can restore the entire server or specific data (files, databases, mailboxes) at any time. All operations are performed directly from the Plesk interface, without the need for SSH access. 

Accessing the Restore Environment 

1. Log in to Plesk with your admin credentials. 
2. From the left-hand menu, select Acronis Backup.
3. You’ll be redirected to the Acronis Backup Dashboard, where all available restore points (completed backups) are displayed. 

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Restore Options 

1. Full Server Restore 

• Select the appropriate backup from the list.
• Click Recover → Entire Machine. 
• Follow the steps to restore the VPS to the state it was in at the time the backup was taken. 
• Useful in cases of major failure, malware infection, or system corruption. 

2. Subscription / Domain Restore 

• From the dashboard, select the specific subscription or domain. 
• Click Recover → Subscription/Domain. 
• All files, settings, and databases linked to that domain will be restored. 

3. File-Level Restore 

• Select the desired backup.
• Go to Files/Folders. 
• Browse the backup tree and choose the files or folders you want to recover. 
• Click Recover → To Original Location or choose an alternate path. 

4. Database Restore 

• Select the appropriate backup. 
• Go to Databases. 
• Choose the database (MySQL/MariaDB/MSSQL) you want to restore. 
• Click Recover → Database Restore. 

5. Mailbox Restore 

• From the backup, go to the Mail section. 
• Select the mailbox account you want to restore. 
• Click Recover to restore all emails saved at the time of the backup. 

Advanced Options 

• Restore to Alternate Location: Restore data to a different directory for verification before replacing existing files. 
• Overwrite Options: Decide whether to replace existing files or keep them. 
• Partial Restore: Restore only selected items without affecting the rest of the environment. 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Can I restore a single file? 
Yes. With File-Level Restore you can select individual files or folders. 

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Will restoring cause downtime for my site? 
It depends on the type of restore: 

• Full Server Restore: Yes, as the entire VPS is rolled back. 
• File/Database Restore: Usually no downtime, though it may take some time to complete. 

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How do I know if the restoration was successful? 
Plesk displays a success or failure report. If you’ve enabled notifications, you’ll also receive an email update. 

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Can I restore a backup to a different server? 
Yes, as long as the new server is connected to the same Acronis account.