Dmitry Porotnikov / Migrate config from one mikrotik router to another

Created Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Modified Fri, 02 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000
173 Words

On the OLD router (Winbox)

  1. Connect with Winbox
  2. Open New Terminal
  3. Run

clean export

/export compact file=old-router

This creates: old-router.rsc (in Files). Export/import is done via CLI (Terminal) even if you’re using Winbox

  1. Open Files in Winbox → find old-router.rsc → drag it to your PC (or right-click download).

On the NEW router (Winbox)

Start from an empty config so you don’t “merge” weird defaults.

  • Winbox → System → Reset Configuration
  • Tick No Default Configuration
  • Reconnect (often easiest via MAC address in Winbox)

Then:

  • Open Files → upload old-router.rsc (drag & drop into the Files window)
  • Open New Terminal
  • Import it:
/import file-name=old-router.rsc

(Depending on RouterOS version, import old-router.rsc may also work, but file-name= is explicit.)

The import may change IPs/firewall and you can lose the session If that happens, reconnect via Winbox MAC (L2) and continue.

Reboot after import: /system reboot

Things to be aware of:

  1. Match RouterOS major versions if possible
  2. If migrating to different hardware, you may need to edit the .rsc, e.g if interface names/ports differ (ether1/ether2, sfp, wifi)