Tech Help: What is the Best Way to Back Up MS Outlook files?

[JustAnAmerican]

What are you trying to do, format then reinstall outlook on same drive?,or put it on a new drive?

[SpaceBar]

If you don't want to hear derisive comments regarding Microsoft products, why not post your query on a message board more appropriate than FreeRepublic. Like here for example.

[Maceman]

What are you trying to do, format then reinstall outlook on same drive?,or put it on a new drive?

I want to back them up on CD, like I do with all my other documents.

[dinasour]

There is a little add in from Microsoft here:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&familyid=8b081f3a-b7d0-4b16-b8af-5a6322f4fd01

It creates a copy of your current outlook files as a separate *.pst file. It's title suggest it is for outlook 2003, but it works in other versions as well

[milan]

Export all folders to a PST file and save that file. At anytime in the future, you can import that data. -Shawne

[ElkGroveDan]

Use the ARCHIVE function to create a *.pst file. It will allow you to put that file anywhere you want, and then you can burn it onto a CD.

[Salgak]

In Outlook, hit the "File" menu.

Choose "Import and Export".

Choose "Export to a file"

Choose "Personal Folder File (.pst)

Select that which you want backed up (I typically go all the wat to the top of the mailbox. I also check the "include subfolders" radio button)

Name and set a location for the backup file. I typically place it in c:\ or on the desktop, and name it backupMMDDYY.pst.

For options, I take the default "replace duplicates".

I then hit "Finish", and let it go to work.

FYI: NEVER let a .pst file get larger than 1.8 GB. They go irreretriably corrupt somewhere just under 2GB. . .

[Feckless]

In Outlook click "File" "Export" "Export to a file" and "Personal Folder File (*.pst). Next select folders and location of *.pst file. To restore data import from file, select pst file type.
If you are on a MS Exchange server just set your option to synchronize files when you exit Outlook, your files will be on your PC and the Exchange server.

[Sloth]

Cool, I was needing to know the same thing... been trying to transfer wifey's e-mail from one terminal on our home network to another.

[Paul C. Jesup]

Outlook Express folders are store with the extension dbx in the Outlook Express folder, I usually just search dbx to find the folder and the copy of paste to back-up, the dbx files can be stored on CDs. Also after I reinstall my computer, when I up-grade the motherboard, I just copy and paste the dbx files back into the Outlook Express folder and it seems to work fine.

But I don't know the extension for MS Outlook files are.

[Paradox]

You could always use the Migration Wizard (migwiz). It will back up a bunch of different things, including Outlook files, letting you choose what to do.

[Justa]

I assume you're talking about Outlook, not Outlook Express. In Outlook mail files are kept in .pst type files. You can do a search, identify them and back them up before cleaning out your Deleted Items and Sent folders. You'll have to know or learn how to map .pst files in Outlook. Some people will have several .pst files due to their use of Personal Folders.

I recommend backing up .pst files to magnetic media such as a tape backup (expensive) or flash RAM (inexpensive). The latter can be done via a USB connection and a 'thumb' type drive so it's quite convenient. Just be sure to use a device with removable memory cards so they can be stored in an electrostatic bag off site. I would not recommend CDs. Most CDs degrade within 3 years.

Nowadays E-mail is business transactions and receipts so having a reliable long-term records is important imo.

[paulk]

Remember that if you want to see these emails later you will have to rent M$ software at what ever price they want later.

Mozilla solved this problem nicley for me.

[catsseyes]

What I usually do is make sure that Outlook is closed, then do a search for the *.pst file (probably the outlook.pst file)then copy that file over to another hard drive or a CD. There is also a backup procedure in Outlook to do it too. If you look under the Help file and search for Backup you will find the info. I just found it easier to do it the first way.

[Steve0113]

bfl

[Maceman]

Dare I ask what means "bfl"?

[americanSoul]

Here at work we use NetBackup Professional from Veritas. Works fine.

[Fzob]

BFL

[Fzob]

BFL