Best product/way to back up both Outlook and Outlook Express

self

[rudy45]

lol spare the nasty comments about both products, please. I would like an EASY way to back up both products (one step backup if at all possible)...preferably freeware.

Right now, for OE, I am using Outlook Express Backup Wizard. Is there a better product?

I don't have anything for Outlook itself. I see that Outlook has a native file export feature, but it looks like I have to back up one folder at a time (?) Why did they design such a troublesome method?

Thanks.

[garyhope]

"Nasty comments" about a Microsoft product? I never heard of such a thing. You must think you're on a Mac forum.

I even like MS IE 7 more than Firefox so far. There must be something wrong with me.

[neb52]

In Outlook, you just need to backup the .pst file(assuming you save your contacts in the contacts folder and not in the .pab file). This is most likely located in

C:\Documents and Settings\"user name here"\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

In Outlook Express you can Compact the Folders, which creates a .dbx file for each folder. Each file would need to be backed up, plus a settings file(I forget what it is called) would also needed to be created.

C:\Documents and Settings\"user name here"\Application Data\Identities

[Kolb]

Outlook can be backed up by copying the .pst file it uses to store information. Search for *.pst looking in hidden files and folders, copy and paste to a different directory. The path should be: root drive (c:), documents and settings, account username, local settings, application data, microsoft, outlook. Unfortunately this method does not backup your email account settings (servers, logon information and passwords). I recommend recording these manually.

Outlook express is a different animal, it uses .dbx files for each folder. You can also backup the emails/ folders by dearching for *.dbx looking in hidden files and folders, copy the files to a different directory. The path should be: root drive (c:), documents and settings, account username, local settings, application data, identities, some numbers between brackets (ex: {6719004D-E77A-4068-A605-15E19D4914C7}), outlook express. Account information can be exported from outlook express using the import export feature.

I do not know of any easy, one step solution to backing up email other than making an image of your hard drive.

[neb52]

Depending on back up method, he could creat a .bat file to xcopy the .pst file to another location.

[LibFreeOrDie]

Invest in backup software and a backup drive, then you won't have to futz or think about it. Here's one such product - EMC Retrospect Express:

http://www.digitalriver.com/dr/v2/ec_MAIN.Entry17c?CID=0&SP=10007&PN=5&SID=1839&PID=866061&CUR=840&DSP=&PGRP=0&ABCODE=&CACHE_ID=0

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

You should back up everything regularly but if you want to isolate the important stuff (address book, emails and such) from OE it is easy but may take a couple of steps. All you need to know can be found by Googling "backing up Outlook Express".

Or you could use OE's own export option found in the "File" menu. With this you can export your address bok and messages to stand alone files that can be imported if/when you need to.