How to backup Outlook?

[MMiz]

Hello,

Im wondering if anyone can give me info on how to backup my emails, contacts, and other stuff in MS Outlook. I am not using the "Express" version, but MS Outlook 2000. Thanks a lot, I have been unable to find this info on the internet.

-Matt

[James]

if i remember right i think you can do a back up if you go and find the dir that the e-mail is sitting in.
it could be c:\program files\outlook\????
or it could be C:\windows\outlook\
or some veraation there of the files will have a .eml on the end of it
you could do a search for that too viea the search tool in windows explorer.
hope this helps
james

[Chicken]

In Outlook Express (I know, you aren't using it, might be the same), it tells you where the files are stored. In Outlook Express:

Top menu: Tools choose last options...
Choose the Maintenance tab, and click the Store Folder button. You can copy the path to Windows Explorer.

Now, I don't have Outlook on this computer to see if it is there as well, but try that or something like it.

[MMiz]

Originally posted by Chicken:

In Outlook Express (I know, you aren't using it, might be the same), it tells you where the files are stored. In Outlook Express:

Top menu: Tools choose last options...
Choose the Maintenance tab, and click the Store Folder button. You can copy the path to Windows Explorer.

Now, I don't have Outlook on this computer to see if it is there as well, but try that or something like it.

There is no Maintenace tab on Outlook. I cant believe such an important task would be so hard. Maybe it isnt and I just cant find the button. Thanks though :)

-Matt

[iBiz]

try

File > Folder > Compact
to condence your files and then do a search for *.dbx files and copy them on disk to back them up.

To retrive them, return them to the same area you got them and make sure you don't have "read only" locked on the files.

This works for outlook express but is similiar in outlook.

Best suggestion is to search for backup in the help section of the Ouotlook Program

[Chicken]

Originally posted by MMiz:

There is no Maintenace tab on Outlook.
DOH! Are the files *.dbx like Outlook Express?

[James]

DOH! i forgot about that sorry:(
james

[MMiz]

Ready for this? I did a search in HELP and it had the answer. It ended up being different from all the steps everyone listed, but it was pretty simple. Sometimes you just gotta think simple I guess. Thanks for the ideas though.

-Matt

[James]

LOL well at lest you got what you needed
and im suprised i didnt think of that my self.
ohh well:(
laters
James

[radhika]

Try this link:

http://insideoe.tomsterdam.com/backup/index.htm

Radhika

[Chicken]

Originally posted by MMiz:

Ready for this? I did a search in HELP and it had the answer...
Who would have thought that R'ingTFM would actually work, eh? ;) :D As a last resort, one can do it, but try to limit your R'ingTFM, I always say.

[1000rpm]

There are a couple of good outlook express backup programs out there (one I think is called Outlook Express Backup Wizard), try download.com it should be there.

[TheGAME1264]

The data files for Outlook are very easy to find. They're the only ones that end in *.pst on your hard drive (or in the case of an offline store, *.ost). Use your Windows Find tool to look for anything in *.pst and once you've found it, you can copy it wherever you want (I generally will use a burner and a CD-RW to do so.)

For those of you on a network where the individual users use Outlook (Corporate configuration): the PST files can actually be stored in the individual paths for your roaming users, accessed across the network and backed up by backing up the user profiles directories.

Without going into great details (since that would be somewhat beyond the scope of this thread), copy each of the PST files into a path somewhere in your users' directories (I prefer to create an Outlook directory in each user profile and stick the PST files there).

When you're done, select Tools-->Services, remove the existing Personal Folders option and reinstall it, pointing to the new file that you've created in your user profile.

Two notes on this:

1. This is absolutely impossible according to Microsoft and "leading industry experts". It works, and it works well (I've had it set up on one network for over a year now), but it's impossible.

2. Using the Corporate configuration for Microsoft Outlook will allow you to change the location of your PST file by removing and readding the Personal Folders service as shown above.

[Samuel]

Just create a new PST anywhere on another computer, another drive etc.

Copy (Right click on the folder list) where you want to copy messages.

Export your rules which allows you to save them.

Export your connections (SMTP connections)

That's it.

[markblair]

If anyone uses Outlook XP, you can use a program like the one at the below link which does everything for you. If you've seen XP, it can have many, many items to backup. It's not just about .pst files. You also have to re-enter profile, signature, etc. information after reinstalling. This program does that for you:

http://www.totalidea.com/frameset-outsource.htm

[ghpickjr]

You can always go:

File > Export

Follow the instructions and exported the .PST file which is how I've backed up Outlook for years!

[orbitnet]

well, outlook use IMAP right ? not POP3 ! then mostly the mail's will be stored in the server. inbox, outbox, every thing !!

then why do you need to backup ????

[markblair]

Not true. Outlook can be setup for POP3 or IMAP. Most people that use it, including myself, probably set it up with the default setting of POP3. So it creates a .pst file along with possibly having a .pab file for the address book. It isn't all that hard to backup the individual files. The problem comes when you want to have it save all your customized settings. Only third-party programs can do that if I'm not mistaken. If you don't mind re-adding the minor settings, then just save the .pst, .pab, and any other specific file on another part of your computer before reinstalling.

[orbitnet]

ok sorry, then u can do thie,

use Outlook Express to get the Mail from the Outlook Prifile, (using Mail Import) then you can backup the DIR that contain *.DBX (i think) you can copy yhr DIR with all the fines in it to a CD or a Backup HDD, when you finish the instalation u can Import the files from your Back up using the Inport in Outlook Express.

after that u can import mail from your outlook express back up folder or from the Outlook Express Profine using Outlook

[intellec]

Either do the PST in Outlook or setup IMAPs for you account and leave mail there. That way all email clients can read it.
I set up a file Archive (year) and keep them on hand. There have been times where I needed the old emails for lost invoices, etc. for tax records. After creating archive file (IMAP Folder containing email) I can download it and burn a CD. If I need it again it;s there. I also leave a copy on the server. To retrive it I go in webmail and create folder with same name as the file. Then exit webmail and use file manager to move the file in the proper directory. Then its ready to use via webmail or email client.

[NicAddress]

I have been using this with Outlook.

Outlook 2002/2000 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup (http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2002/pfbackup.aspx)