---
title: "Backing up PingAccess using a <code class=\"filepath\">.zip</code> archive"
description: Back up your PingAccess configuration by copying a zip archive and additional customized files to another system.
component: pingaccess
version: 9.1
page_id: pingaccess:backing_up_and_restoring_pingaccess:pa_backing_up_pa_using_a_zip_archive
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingaccess/9.1/backing_up_and_restoring_pingaccess/pa_backing_up_pa_using_a_zip_archive.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingaccess/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: May 17, 2024
section_ids:
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
---

# Backing up PingAccess using a `.zip` archive

Back up your PingAccess configuration by copying a `zip` archive and additional customized files to another system.

## About this task

To back up your PingAccess configuration using a `.zip` archive for disaster recovery purposes:

## Steps

1. In the PingAccess system, go to `<PA_HOME>/data/archive` and copy the most recent `.zip` archive to another system.

   These archives are automatically created when an administrative user authenticates to the administrative console. The maximum number of backups is specified by the `pa.backup.filesToKeep` property in the `run.properties` file.

2. **Optional:** If you have created or customized templates, copy the contents of the `<PA_HOME>/conf/template` directory to another system.

3. **Optional:** If you have created custom plugins, copy the contents of the `<PA_HOME>/deploy` directory to another system.

4. **Optional:** If you have created or customized localization, copy the contents of the `<PA_HOME>/conf/localization` directory to another system.