How to perform an Outlook data backup (2003, 2007, 2010).

Step 1: Locate Outlook Personal folders data file (.pst) on your computer.

First of all you must locate where Outlook stores its information (Data file). *

Notice*: To be able view Outlook data file, go to Windows “Control Panel”, open “Folder Options” and under “View” tab, enable the “Show Hidden files, folders and drives” option.

Usually (by default) Outlook data files are stored in one single file (“pst”) at the following location on your computer:

Windows XP:

‘C:\Documents and Settings\<your username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook’

Windows Vista or 7:

‘C:\Users\<your username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook”

If you want to manually find your Outlook data files location, then:

Outlook 2003 * :

1. (From Outlook main menu), choose : “Tools“ > “Options”

2. In “Options” window choose “Mail Setup” tab.

3. In “Mail Setup” tab, choose “Data files”.

4. In “Data Files” window, choose “Open Folder”.

5. Continue to Step 2.

Outlook 2007 or 2010

If you are using Outlook 2007, 2010 and you want to find the Outlook personal folders location (.pst file), then:

1. From “File” menu go to “Info” > “Account Settings”.

Notice*: In Outlook 2007, go to Tools menu, click Options, click the Mail Setup tab, and then click E-mail Accounts.

2. In “Account Settings” window, choose “Data Files” tab and click to “Open File Location”.

3. Continue to the next step.

Step 2: Backup your Outlook Data files.

When you open the Outlook data files location as described in the previous step you should see the following screen:

As you can see in this window there is a file named “Outlook.pst” (the default file name). This file contains all Outlook folders such as Calendar, Inbox, Tasks, Sent Items, Outbox, Deleted Items, and user-created folders.

So if you want to backup all your Outlook data:

1. Close all open “Outlook” windows and

2. Copy “Outlook.pst” file in another location on your computer (e.g. your external USB hard disk drive) and that’s it.

By doing this, you have a reliable backup copy of your Outlook Data files until today. To always have an updated copy of your Outlook data, then you must repeat the above procedure often.