In this tutorial we will show you how to create a backup of your Inbox in Microsoft Outlook. The procedure works with both Microsoft Office Outlook 2003 and 2007, even though the screens are a bit different. If you follow these instructions you should have no problems.
First, start Outlook. Go to the File menu and select Import and Export.
The Import and Export Wizard will start. Select the “Export to a file” option and press Next.
In the Export to a File window you can choose the file type of your backup. For regular users, we strongly recommend the Personal Folder File (.pst) format. After you have selected the desired format, press Next.
In the Export Personal Folders window, you can select the folders you want to backup. We recommend that you select all your mailbox and check the “Include subfolders” option. This way, you will backup all your e-mail messages, your contacts, calendar, tasks and notes.
After you have pressed the Next button, you will be asked to select the path where your backup will be stored. Click on Browse and select the backup location. After that, click on Finish.
Now, the Create Microsoft Personal Folders window will open. Depending on the version of Outlook you are using, you will see different options such as encryption settings, or password protection. You can set the desired level of encryption and protect your backup with a password. When finished, press on OK.
Microsoft Office Outlook will start creating the backup file. This might take a few minutes, depending on the size of your Inbox.
Related articles:
How to migrate to Outlook 2007 & Windows Vista
How to setup an e-mail account in Outlook 2007
Configure Microsoft Office 2007 to save files using the old Office 97-2003 format
How to backup your data
How to restore your files
GFI Backup 2009 Home Edition – a worthy alternative to the Backup and Restore Center
Another way to backup…
Sometimes, I think an export takes too long. I just go to where the outlook.pst file is, and make a copy of it to where I want to back it up to.
First make sure outlook is closed. Then, just go to C:Documents and Settings[username]Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlookoutlook.pst and copy the .pst file to someplace you want it backed up to (rename the copy if you want).
To restore it, you can either use the import tool in outlook, or just copy the file back to the same location (rename it back to outlook.pst if you renamed it).
PST Backup
A much more efficient approach is to use a backup software such as EdgeSafe PST2PST backup.
It takes the backup incrementally, so it is very fast… EdgeSafe also works while outlook is open, so you do not need to close Outlook and wait for the backup to happen. (http://www.datamills.com)
This solution is for companies rather than individual users…
migrate e-mail messages Outlook 2003 to Vista Windows Mail
I need help with a procedure to help me move my old mail messages in Microsoft Outlook 2003 to Windows Mail in Vista.
Thank you
error massage
i did all the above steps.. but i keep getting the following:
” the messaging interface has returned an unknown error ….”
asking me to restart outlook if this massage keep showing… i did but no use….
iam using Outlook 2007, OS. Vista Ultimate
Any help ….Plz…
Thanks
Tameem
Outlook 2000 “messaging interface unknown error”
Regarding your message below, did you ever receive a fix? I have Outlook 200 on Vista Home Premium and am getting exactly the same error message.
—————————
did all the above steps.. but i keep getting the following:
” the messaging interface has returned an unknown error ….”
asking me to restart outlook if this massage keep showing… i did but no use….
iam using Outlook 2007, OS. Vista Ultimate
Any help ….Plz…
Thanks
Tameem
Re: Vista Error
If you copy or move the outlook file Vista will give you and error relating to permission rights or just an error when trying to open the *.pst file.
Go back to the file location and restore the previous version by using the right click option. Try the oldest one first and test by opening outlook. Now try a newer version ….
If you are using vista use the export to be safe. No point in waiting for a crash to find that you have a problem.
Ideally set a scheduled backup to an external drive using software such as Genie-soft Mail Backup.
Outlook
2003 version transferring same version to new computer with vista Home Premium.
Question: I transferred data from the old outlook, but I don’t now have the capability to automatically have the email address pop in when you start the first letter of the name. The Contact Book went over to the new, but that book of addresses that is saved even outside of the contacts book did not transfer.
Yet Another Way to Backup Outlook
being a passionate crusader for online solutions and against exchange for growing businesses, my advice would be. go for an online exchange alternative – it costs less, its easier to mantain, has added features and your Outlook data is automatically backed up! HyperOffice is one example.
Outlook Express to Windows Mail – ISSUES Topic.
Trying to TX email folders / files from Outlook 2000 into Windows Mail (Vista)
Have sourced the email folders on the old computer and burned them onto a CD. Was able to TX the address Book ok but Windows mail will not recognise the .ids files. I thought they were loaded into the CD as .DBX files …..?? help….
Outlook Contacts
Hi, thanks for the tutorial. Seems to work like a dream, but have not tried a restore.
When you use this method, does the copy include the address book/contacts?
unable to open Outlook
If you are unable to open Outlook. You can suspect that your .pst file is corrupted, you may use the Repair Outlook PST File Tool (Scanpst.exe) to repair errors in the .pst file. The Repair Outlook PST File tool scans only the .pst, not your mailbox on the server running MS Exchange. The method determines whether the file structure is intact. If it is not intact, it resets your file structure and rebuilds the headers.
Sometimes happen, the Scanpst tool could not repair the .pst file, in that case we suggest you to use a third party tool to repair your pst file, name Repair Outlook PST File. It is the best Repair PST tool in the market, which provides the best possible result. They have certified PST Recovery technician, which provide 100% guaranteed solution for Outlook PST files. They recover and repair Outlook PST files. They can help you to recover your complete Outlook PST components like e-mails with attachments, contacts, notes, tasks, journals, calendar entries etc. They support MS Outlook 97, 2000, 2002 , 2003 & 2007.
Repair Outlook PST
If you are unable to open Outlook. You can suspect that your .pst file is corrupted, you may use the Repair Outlook PST File Tool (Scanpst.exe) to repair errors in the .pst file. The Repair Outlook PST File tool scans only the .pst, not your mailbox on the server running MS Exchange. The method determines whether the file structure is intact. If it is not intact, it resets your file structure and rebuilds the headers.
Scanpst.exe is installed itself when you install Outlook. It is located at below location:
C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE12.
Repair Outlook PST File by using Scanpst.exe
1. Exit MS Outlook if it is running.
2. Double click on Scanpst.exe, located at C:Program FilesMicrosoft OfficeOFFICE12.
3. Now Enter the name of the file you want to scan or click Browse to search for the .pst file.
4. To specify the scan log options, click Options, and click the desire option.
5. Click Start.
6. If error founds after the scan is complete, you will be prompted to start the repair outlook pst file process to fix the error.
A backup file is created during this repair process. You can change the default name or location of this backup file.
7. Click Repair.
8. Open Outlook by using the profile that contains the .pst file that you repaired.
9. On the Go menu, click Folder List.
In the Personal Folder List, you may see a folder named Recovered Personal Folders that contains your default Outlook folders or a Lost and Found folder. The recovered folders are usually empty, because this is a rebuilt .pst file. The Lost and Found folder contains the items recovered by the Inbox Repair tool.
10. If you see a Recovered Personal Folders folder, you can create a new outlook .pst file, and drag the items into the new .pst file. Once you have finished moving all the items, you can remove the Recovered Personal Folders (.pst) file, including the Lost and Found folder, from your Outlook profile.
Sometimes happen, the Scanpst tool could not repair the .pst file, in that case we suggest you to use a third party tool to repair your pst file, name Repair Outlook PST File. It is the best Repair PST tool in the market, which provides the best possible result. They have certified PST Recovery technician, which provide 100% guaranteed solution for Outlook PST files. They recover and repair Outlook PST files. They can help you to recover your complete Outlook PST components like e-mails with attachments, contacts, notes, tasks, journals, calendar entries etc. They support MS Outlook 97, 2000, 2002 , 2003 & 2007.
Is it possible to backup outlook PST files real time?
Is it possible to backup outlook PST files real time?