# Project disappeared **URL:** \ **Category:** Ignition\ **Created:** [June 26, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542 "2023-06-26T18:07:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Art\_Irvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Art\_Irvin](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Art_Irvin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/1 "2023-06-26T18:07:49Z")
I have been working a project for almost 2 weeks. I went to import a backed up project (.gwbk) file and the project that existed was replaced/deleted by the restored project. Am I simply done and need to start over with a new project? ---
**Author:** ![Kevin.Herron](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/kevin.herron/32/7259_2.png) [@Kevin.Herron](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Kevin.Herron)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2023, 6:09pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/2 "2023-06-26T18:09:37Z")
A gateway backup is a backup of an entire gateway, not a project export. You replaced your entire gateway contents with whatever was in the backup. Call support, there might be an old auto backup you can use to restore your old gateway. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Irvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Art\_Irvin](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Art_Irvin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/3 "2023-06-26T18:20:03Z")
Thank you. I'll give that a try but I thought I was restoring a project backup. Just my lack of understanding. So projects are exported - the backup and restore is for the entire gateway including projects. A little confusing. ---
**Author:** ![pturmel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/pturmel/32/3295_2.png) [@pturmel](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/pturmel)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2023, 6:25pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/4 "2023-06-26T18:25:43Z")
It is pretty clearly explained in IA's free online training at Inductive University, in a short topic called "Making Backups and Restoring", here: > **[Inductive University Course List - Learn Ignition Free](https://www.inductiveuniversity.com/courses/ignition/ignition-gateway/8.1)** > > Learn the fundamentals and advanced features of Ignition while earning your IU credential You **really** , _really_ should go through Inductive University. ---
**Author:** ![craigb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@craigb](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/craigb)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2023, 6:31pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/5 "2023-06-26T18:31:57Z")
Enable scheduled backups in gateway settings. If you already have it enabled you should have a backup of your gateway prior to the incident. ---
**Author:** ![Art\_Irvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Art\_Irvin](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/Art_Irvin)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2023, 9:17pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/6 "2023-06-26T21:17:23Z")
I have, but my memory and understanding are both human and subject to failure. ---
**Author:** ![nminchin](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/inductiveautomation/user_avatar/forum.inductiveautomation.com/nminchin/32/6911_2.png) [@nminchin](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/u/nminchin)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2023, 12:07pm UTC](https://forum.inductiveautomation.com/t/project-disappeared/75542/7 "2023-06-27T12:07:32Z")
It's in the extension name "gwbk" gateway backup. Project backups are zip files (or proj files for pre v8)