You need to migrate settings to a different model (standard restores often fail across different hardware).
This post outlines the methods and tools available for extracting and reading data from MikroTik
From the extracted user.dat file, you can run the included extract_user.py script to list all user accounts and their hashed passwords: mikrotik backup extractor
Before diving into extraction, it is vital to understand the two ways MikroTik handles data. Binary .backup Script .rsc (Export) Binary (Machine only) Plain Text (Human readable) Portability Only same/similar model Any MikroTik device Restoration Full system overwrite Selective command execution Security Encrypted by default Plain text unless manual
If you try to open a .backup file in Notepad, VS Code, or Sublime Text, you will see random symbols, NUL bytes, and perhaps fragments of readable strings (like interface names or IPs), but the structure is gone. You cannot edit the file directly. This is why a is essential. You need to migrate settings to a different
Never download compiled .exe tools from untrusted forums to extract backups. These files frequently contain malware or trojans designed to steal network credentials. Stick to transparent, readable Python or Bash scripts.
Some advanced scripts can attempt to "brute force" or reset forgotten passwords for older RouterOS backup files. You cannot edit the file directly
If you don't want to use third-party scripts, you can "extract" the config by simulating the hardware: Mikrotik Configuration Backups
Once restored, run the /export file=extracted_config command in the terminal.
Upload your .backup file to the virtual router via WinBox or FTP. Restore the backup onto the virtual router.
./ROSbackup.py unpack -i plaintext.backup -d unpacked_folder