diff --git a/admin/settings/courses.php b/admin/settings/courses.php
index 45b1ab3d012..f94775c966f 100644
--- a/admin/settings/courses.php
+++ b/admin/settings/courses.php
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ if ($hassiteconfig
 
 
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_heading('automatedsettings', get_string('automatedsettings','backup'), ''));
-    $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_users', get_string('users'), get_string('backupusershelp'), 1));
+    $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_users', get_string('generalusers', 'backup'), get_string('configgeneralusers', 'backup'), 1));
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_role_assignments', get_string('generalroleassignments','backup'), get_string('configgeneralroleassignments','backup'), 1));
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_user_files', get_string('generaluserfiles', 'backup'), get_string('configgeneraluserfiles','backup'), 1));
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_activities', get_string('generalactivities','backup'), get_string('configgeneralactivities','backup'), 1));
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ if ($hassiteconfig
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_filters', get_string('generalfilters','backup'), get_string('configgeneralfilters','backup'), 1));
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_comments', get_string('generalcomments','backup'), get_string('configgeneralcomments','backup'), 1));
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_userscompletion', get_string('generaluserscompletion','backup'), get_string('configgeneraluserscompletion','backup'), 1));
-    $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_logs', get_string('logs'), get_string('backuplogshelp'), 0));
+    $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_logs', get_string('generallogs', 'backup'), get_string('configgenerallogs', 'backup'), 0));
     $temp->add(new admin_setting_configcheckbox('backup/backup_auto_histories', get_string('generalhistories','backup'), get_string('configgeneralhistories','backup'), 0));
 
 
diff --git a/backup/controller/backup_controller.class.php b/backup/controller/backup_controller.class.php
index cd054815134..1bab62be627 100644
--- a/backup/controller/backup_controller.class.php
+++ b/backup/controller/backup_controller.class.php
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ class backup_controller extends backup implements loggable {
 
     protected function apply_defaults() {
         $this->log('applying plan defaults', backup::LOG_DEBUG);
-        backup_controller_dbops::apply_general_config_defaults($this);
+        backup_controller_dbops::apply_config_defaults($this);
         $this->set_status(backup::STATUS_CONFIGURED);
     }
 }
diff --git a/backup/util/checks/backup_check.class.php b/backup/util/checks/backup_check.class.php
index 39d0e96fa1a..881c73c3ae2 100644
--- a/backup/util/checks/backup_check.class.php
+++ b/backup/util/checks/backup_check.class.php
@@ -102,45 +102,31 @@ abstract class backup_check {
         // Note: all the checks along the function MUST be performed for $userid, that
         // is the user who "requested" the course backup, not current $USER at all!!
 
-        // First of all, check the main backup[course|section|activity] principal caps
-        // Lacking the corresponding one makes this to break with exception always
+        // First of all, decide which caps/contexts are we going to check
+        // for common backups (general, automated...) based exclusively
+        // in the type (course, section, activity). And store them into
+        // one capability => context array structure
+        $typecapstocheck = array();
         switch ($type) {
             case backup::TYPE_1COURSE :
                 $DB->get_record('course', array('id' => $id), '*', MUST_EXIST); // course exists
-                if (!has_capability('moodle/backup:backupcourse', $coursectx, $userid)) {
-                    $a = new stdclass();
-                    $a->userid = $userid;
-                    $a->courseid = $courseid;
-                    $a->capability = 'moodle/backup:backupcourse';
-                    throw new backup_controller_exception('backup_user_missing_capability', $a);
-                }
+                $typecapstocheck['moodle/backup:backupcourse'] = $coursectx;
                 break;
             case backup::TYPE_1SECTION :
                 $DB->get_record('course_sections', array('course' => $courseid, 'id' => $id), '*', MUST_EXIST); // sec exists
-                if (!has_capability('moodle/backup:backupsection', $coursectx, $userid)) {
-                    $a = new stdclass();
-                    $a->userid = $userid;
-                    $a->courseid = $courseid;
-                    $a->capability = 'moodle/backup:backupsection';
-                    throw new backup_controller_exception('backup_user_missing_capability', $a);
-                }
+                $typecapstocheck['moodle/backup:backupsection'] = $coursectx;
                 break;
             case backup::TYPE_1ACTIVITY :
                 get_coursemodule_from_id(null, $id, $courseid, false, MUST_EXIST); // cm exists
                 $modulectx = get_context_instance(CONTEXT_MODULE, $id);
-                if (!has_capability('moodle/backup:backupactivity', $modulectx, $userid)) {
-                    $a = new stdclass();
-                    $a->userid = $userid;
-                    $a->cmid = $id;
-                    $a->capability = 'moodle/backup:backupactivity';
-                    throw new backup_controller_exception('backup_user_missing_capability', $a);
-                }
+                $typecapstocheck['moodle/backup:backupactivity'] = $modulectx;
                 break;
             default :
-                print_error('unknownbackuptype');
+                throw new backup_controller_exception('backup_unknown_backup_type', $type);
         }
 
         // Now, if backup mode is hub or import, check userid has permissions for those modes
+        // other modes will perform common checks only (backupxxxx capabilities in $typecapstocheck)
         switch ($mode) {
             case backup::MODE_HUB:
                 if (!has_capability('moodle/backup:backuptargethub', $coursectx, $userid)) {
@@ -160,6 +146,18 @@ abstract class backup_check {
                     throw new backup_controller_exception('backup_user_missing_capability', $a);
                 }
                 break;
+            // Common backup (general, automated...), let's check all the $typecapstocheck
+            // capability => context pairs
+            default:
+                foreach ($typecapstocheck as $capability => $context) {
+                    if (!has_capability($capability, $context, $userid)) {
+                        $a = new stdclass();
+                        $a->userid = $userid;
+                        $a->courseid = $courseid;
+                        $a->capability = $capability;
+                        throw new backup_controller_exception('backup_user_missing_capability', $a);
+                    }
+                }
         }
 
         // Now, enforce 'moodle/backup:userinfo' to 'users' setting, applying changes if allowed,
@@ -219,15 +217,19 @@ abstract class backup_check {
         }
 
         // Check the user has the ability to configure the backup. If not then we need
-        // to lock all settings by permission so that no changes can be made.
-        $hasconfigcap = has_capability('moodle/backup:configure', $coursectx, $userid);
-        if (!$hasconfigcap) {
-            $settings = $backup_controller->get_plan()->get_settings();
-            foreach ($settings as $setting) {
-                if ($setting->get_name()=='filename') {
-                    continue;
+        // to lock all settings by permission so that no changes can be made. This does
+        // not apply to the import facility, where the activities must be always enabled
+        // to be able to pick them
+        if ($mode != backup::MODE_IMPORT) {
+            $hasconfigcap = has_capability('moodle/backup:configure', $coursectx, $userid);
+            if (!$hasconfigcap) {
+                $settings = $backup_controller->get_plan()->get_settings();
+                foreach ($settings as $setting) {
+                    if ($setting->get_name() == 'filename') {
+                        continue;
+                    }
+                    $setting->set_status(base_setting::LOCKED_BY_PERMISSION);
                 }
-                $setting->set_status(base_setting::LOCKED_BY_PERMISSION);
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/backup/util/checks/restore_check.class.php b/backup/util/checks/restore_check.class.php
index 20e1f94c331..915112cf230 100644
--- a/backup/util/checks/restore_check.class.php
+++ b/backup/util/checks/restore_check.class.php
@@ -68,41 +68,27 @@ abstract class restore_check {
         // Note: all the checks along the function MUST be performed for $userid, that
         // is the user who "requested" the course restore, not current $USER at all!!
 
-        // First of all, check the main restore[course|section|activity] principal caps
-        // Lacking the corresponding one makes this to break with exception always
+        // First of all, decide which caps/contexts are we going to check
+        // for common backups (general, automated...) based exclusively
+        // in the type (course, section, activity). And store them into
+        // one capability => context array structure
+        $typecapstocheck = array();
         switch ($type) {
             case backup::TYPE_1COURSE :
-                if (!has_capability('moodle/restore:restorecourse', $coursectx, $userid)) {
-                    $a = new stdclass();
-                    $a->userid = $userid;
-                    $a->courseid = $courseid;
-                    $a->capability = 'moodle/restore:restorecourse';
-                    throw new restore_controller_exception('restore_user_missing_capability', $a);
-                }
+                $typecapstocheck['moodle/restore:restorecourse'] = $coursectx;
                 break;
             case backup::TYPE_1SECTION :
-                if (!has_capability('moodle/restore:restoresection', $coursectx, $userid)) {
-                    $a = new stdclass();
-                    $a->userid = $userid;
-                    $a->courseid = $courseid;
-                    $a->capability = 'moodle/restore:restoresection';
-                    throw new restore_controller_exception('restore_user_missing_capability', $a);
-                }
+                $typecapstocheck['moodle/restore:restoresection'] = $coursectx;
                 break;
             case backup::TYPE_1ACTIVITY :
-                if (!has_capability('moodle/restore:restoreactivity', $coursectx, $userid)) {
-                    $a = new stdclass();
-                    $a->userid = $userid;
-                    $a->courseid = $courseid;
-                    $a->capability = 'moodle/restore:restoreactivity';
-                    throw new restore_controller_exception('restore_user_missing_capability', $a);
-                }
+                $typecapstocheck['moodle/restore:restoreactivity'] = $coursectx;
                 break;
             default :
-                print_error('unknownrestoretype');
+                throw new restore_controller_exception('restore_unknown_restore_type', $type);
         }
 
         // Now, if restore mode is hub or import, check userid has permissions for those modes
+        // other modes will perform common checks only (restorexxxx capabilities in $typecapstocheck)
         switch ($mode) {
             case backup::MODE_HUB:
                 if (!has_capability('moodle/restore:restoretargethub', $coursectx, $userid)) {
@@ -122,6 +108,18 @@ abstract class restore_check {
                     throw new restore_controller_exception('restore_user_missing_capability', $a);
                 }
                 break;
+            // Common backup (general, automated...), let's check all the $typecapstocheck
+            // capability => context pairs
+            default:
+                foreach ($typecapstocheck as $capability => $context) {
+                    if (!has_capability($capability, $context, $userid)) {
+                        $a = new stdclass();
+                        $a->userid = $userid;
+                        $a->courseid = $courseid;
+                        $a->capability = $capability;
+                        throw new restore_controller_exception('restore_user_missing_capability', $a);
+                    }
+                }
         }
 
         // Now, enforce 'moodle/restore:userinfo' to 'users' setting, applying changes if allowed,
@@ -158,12 +156,16 @@ abstract class restore_check {
         }
 
         // Check the user has the ability to configure the restore. If not then we need
-        // to lock all settings by permission so that no changes can be made.
-        $hasconfigcap = has_capability('moodle/restore:configure', $coursectx, $userid);
-        if (!$hasconfigcap) {
-            $settings = $restore_controller->get_plan()->get_settings();
-            foreach ($settings as $setting) {
-                $setting->set_status(base_setting::LOCKED_BY_PERMISSION);
+        // to lock all settings by permission so that no changes can be made. This does
+        // not apply to the import facility, where all the activities (picked on backup)
+        // are restored automatically without restore UI
+        if ($mode != backup::MODE_IMPORT) {
+            $hasconfigcap = has_capability('moodle/restore:configure', $coursectx, $userid);
+            if (!$hasconfigcap) {
+                $settings = $restore_controller->get_plan()->get_settings();
+                foreach ($settings as $setting) {
+                    $setting->set_status(base_setting::LOCKED_BY_PERMISSION);
+                }
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/backup/util/dbops/backup_controller_dbops.class.php b/backup/util/dbops/backup_controller_dbops.class.php
index d760871869b..cd89d82f55f 100644
--- a/backup/util/dbops/backup_controller_dbops.class.php
+++ b/backup/util/dbops/backup_controller_dbops.class.php
@@ -401,12 +401,40 @@ abstract class backup_controller_dbops extends backup_dbops {
         return $DB->get_record('course', array('id' => $courseid), 'fullname, shortname, startdate');
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Sets the default values for the settings in a backup operation
+     *
+     * Based on the mode of the backup it will delegate the process to
+     * other methods like {@link apply_general_config_defaults} ...
+     * to get proper defaults loaded
+     *
+     * @param backup_controller $controller
+     */
+    public static function apply_config_defaults(backup_controller $controller) {
+        // Based on the mode of the backup (general, automated, import, hub...)
+        // decide the action to perform to get defaults loaded
+        $mode = $controller->get_mode();
+
+        switch ($mode) {
+            case backup::MODE_GENERAL:
+                // Load the general defaults
+                self::apply_general_config_defaults($controller);
+                break;
+            case backup::MODE_AUTOMATED:
+                // TODO: Move the loading from automatic stuff to here
+                break;
+            default:
+                // Nothing to do for other modes (IMPORT/HUB...). Some day we
+                // can define defaults (admin UI...) for them if we want to
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * Sets the controller settings default values from the backup config.
      *
      * @param backup_controller $controller
      */
-    public static function apply_general_config_defaults(backup_controller $controller) {
+    private static function apply_general_config_defaults(backup_controller $controller) {
         $settings = array(
             // Config name                      => Setting name
             'backup_general_users'              => 'users',
diff --git a/course/lib.php b/course/lib.php
index fe8630fb5fa..f98e9b3f884 100644
--- a/course/lib.php
+++ b/course/lib.php
@@ -3161,13 +3161,16 @@ function make_editing_buttons(stdClass $mod, $absolute = true, $moveselect = tru
         array('class' => 'editing_update', 'title' => $str->update)
     );
 
-    // Duplicate
-    $actions[] = new action_link(
-        new moodle_url($baseurl, array('duplicate' => $mod->id)),
-        new pix_icon('t/copy', $str->duplicate, 'moodle', array('class' => 'iconsmall')),
-        null,
-        array('class' => 'editing_duplicate', 'title' => $str->duplicate)
-    );
+    // Duplicate (require both target import caps to be able to duplicate, see modduplicate.php)
+    $dupecaps = array('moodle/backup:backuptargetimport', 'moodle/restore:restoretargetimport');
+    if (has_all_capabilities($dupecaps, $coursecontext)) {
+        $actions[] = new action_link(
+            new moodle_url($baseurl, array('duplicate' => $mod->id)),
+            new pix_icon('t/copy', $str->duplicate, 'moodle', array('class' => 'iconsmall')),
+            null,
+            array('class' => 'editing_duplicate', 'title' => $str->duplicate)
+        );
+    }
 
     // Delete
     $actions[] = new action_link(
diff --git a/course/modduplicate.php b/course/modduplicate.php
index 632f191853e..a9006b11ad3 100644
--- a/course/modduplicate.php
+++ b/course/modduplicate.php
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ $section    = $DB->get_record('course_sections', array('id' => $cm->section, 'co
 require_login($course);
 require_sesskey();
 require_capability('moodle/course:manageactivities', $context);
+// Require both target import caps to be able to duplicate, see make_editing_buttons()
 require_capability('moodle/backup:backuptargetimport', $context);
 require_capability('moodle/restore:restoretargetimport', $context);
 
diff --git a/lang/en/moodle.php b/lang/en/moodle.php
index f71435d0a3a..ecd7141719d 100644
--- a/lang/en/moodle.php
+++ b/lang/en/moodle.php
@@ -178,7 +178,6 @@ $string['backupincludemoduleuserdatahelp'] = 'Choose whether you want to include
 $string['backupkeephelp'] = 'How many recent backups for each course do you want to keep? (older ones will be deleted automatically)';
 $string['backuplogdetailed'] = 'Detailed execution log';
 $string['backuploglaststatus'] = 'Last execution log';
-$string['backuplogshelp'] = 'If enabled, then course logs will be included in automated backups';
 $string['backupmissinguserinfoperms'] = 'Note: This backup contains no user data. Exercise and Workshop activities will not be included in the backup, since these modules are not compatible with this type of backup.';
 $string['backupnext'] = 'Next backup';
 $string['backupnonisowarning'] = 'Warning: this backup is from a non-Unicode version of Moodle (pre 1.6).  If this backup contains any non-ISO-8859-1 texts then they may be CORRUPTED if you try to restore them to this Unicode version of Moodle.  See the <a href="http://docs.moodle.org/en/Backup_FAQ">Backup FAQ</a> for more information about how to recover this backup correctly.';
@@ -189,7 +188,6 @@ $string['backupsitefileshelp'] = 'If enabled then site files used in courses wil
 $string['backuptakealook'] = 'Please take a look at your backup logs in:
   {$a}';
 $string['backupuserfileshelp'] = 'Choose whether user files (eg profile images) should be included in automated backups';
-$string['backupusershelp'] = 'Select whether you want to include all the users in the server or only the needed users for each course';
 $string['backupversion'] = 'Backup version';
 $string['block'] = 'Block';
 $string['blockconfiga'] = 'Configuring a {$a} block';