How to Backup Outlook pst files
It always helps to be pre-paired. Backing up your Outlook PST file is a must for any one who depends on Outlook. Having an off site backup is a must in case your computer get's stolen by your raving stalker, burnt to a crisp or decides to go for a swim. We will cover a few free options below and some other helpful tips for fellow Outlook users.
Automatic Outlook PST file backup
If you want to backup your PST files automatically then consider using the free Microsoft Automatic Outlook PST backup Plug in. You can find it HERE. This program will let you select the pst files you wish to backup and also the location you want to backup the files to. You can even select when you want to be reminded to backup your pst file next.
BE AWARE: I can't stress this enough for all business people out there or those who depend on Outlook. You need to have an external backup of this file. Not a backup on the same hard drive as your computer. I recommend using this 100% free online backup site here. You get a full 2Gigs of storage for free and don't have to provide any credit card. This is not a trial. It is free for life. This program can automatically backup just your pst if you like so you never have to give it a second thought or even be bothered with saying yes please backup my files.
Another program to consider for backing you your entire computer so you have a full image is Acronis. You can learn more about this here at www.acronis.com
Manual Backup of PST files:
To manually backup your Outlook PST file you can follow this step by step guide
- Close any messaging programs such as Outlook, Microsoft Exchange, or Microsoft Windows Messaging.
- Click Start, and then click Run. Copy and paste (or type) the following command in the Open box, and then press ENTER:
control panel
Control Panel opens.
Note If you see the Pick a category screen, click User Accounts, and then go to step 3.
- Double-click the Mail icon.
- Click Show Profiles.
- Click the appropriate profile, and then click Properties.
- Click Data Files.
- Under Name, click the Personal Folders Service that you want to back up. By default, this service is called Personal Folders. However, it may be named something else.
Note If you have more than one Personal Folders Service in your profile, you must back up each set of .pst files separately.
If there are no entries called Personal Folders and you have not yet stored any information such as messages, contacts, or appointments in Outlook, you probably have not yet enabled the Personal Folders Service. Go to the "References" section for information about how to create a .pst file.
If you have no Personal Folders Services in your profile and you can store information such as messages, contacts, or appointments in Outlook, your information is probably being stored in a mailbox on an Exchange Server. Try using the instructions in the "How to back up .pst file data that is located on a Microsoft Exchange Server" section.
- Click Settings, and then note the path and file name that appears.
Note Because the .pst file contains all data that is stored in the MAPI folders that Outlook uses, the file can be very large. To reduce the size of the .pst file, click Compact Now in the Settings window.
- Close all the Properties windows.
- Use Windows Explorer or My Computer to copy the file that you noted in step 8. You can copy the file to another location on the hard disk drive or to any kind of removable storage media, such as a floppy disk, a CD-ROM, a portable hard disk drive, a magnetic tape cassette, or any other storage device. Having a copy on another device is the best method.
Auto backup Backup Outlook pst files
As mentioned above you can use the free plugin that Microsoft provides. This does not have much in the way of support but it is easy to use. However we recommend using this free 2 gig out backup program here.
You can also you a few different auto backup programs such as Acronis, Migo, or even the free built in Windows Backup software. Just keep in mind that the free Windows backup needs to be looked after more then paid backup software. you should check the first few times to ensure the program did fully backup your pst file and continue to check every month or so. I have had the Widnows backup program quite on me many times for no reason and I had to re-set it up. That is why I now use the online backup program mentioned above.
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