January 29 2007
Q: I learned that Outlook stores all my Email, Calendar Events, Tasks, basically everything in a single file called a .PST file. Is there a software that I can buy to back it up in case something happens to my computer?

 

A: Many people do not realize this fact about Outlook until it is too like and the .PST file becomes corrupted, is overlooked when backing up, or both. I think you'll agree that things usually come to a stop when you can't get into your Outlook. Having a backup of your PST will help prevent this.

 

Microsoft offers a free backup software for Outlook 2002 and Newer. It is available at:

Follow the instructions to download and install

Once installed, Open Outlook

The Backup Tool will prompt you to backup as soon as you close Outlook

You will have the option to:

-Set the reminder schedule

-Change the location of the backup file (Probably some place in your My Documents folder is best)

 

If you are using a version of Outlook older than 2002, here's what you do:

In Outlook

1. File > Import and Export...

-The Import and Export window appears

2. Select 'Export to a file'

3. Click 'Next'

-The Export to a File window appears

4. Select 'Personal Folder File' (.pst)

5. Click 'Next'

-The Export Personal Folders window appears

6. Select 'Personal Folders' at the top of the tree

7. Select 'Include subfolders'

8. Click 'Next'

9. Click the 'Browse...' button

-The Open Personal Folders window appears

10. Click the 'My Documents', or 'Desktop' button on the left hand side to save it where you can easily find it

11. Give the backup file a name. Ex. Backup 12-17-06

12. Click 'Finish'

13. Click 'OK'

You can then copy this file to CD. If it is too big for a CD (700MB max), you may want to save it to a flash/thumb drive.

 

That's it!