- Microsoft publishes a very nice tool for Outlook that makes backup of your data easy. You can download it here directly from Microsoft:
- After installing it you find a new Menu option in Outlook
- Click on File --> Backup Copy and follow the backup steps.
- You can do it manually as well:
- Open Outlook, click File --> Import/Export --> Continue.
Choose Export to a file --> Personal Folder File (.pst) --> Continue.
Choose the folder you wish to export (if in doubt just choose the topmost folder) and click on it. "Include subfolders" should be checked.
Choose a location to store the file (e.g. "Desktop") --> Complete.
Click "OK".
Wait for the export to go through without any errors; this may take some time depending on the size of your Outlook data files. You should save the export file in a secure location.
- If you are using the Desktop Application (Windows, Mac, Linux, see Downloads section), then backups are very easy:
- Click on Preferences (Options) --> Import/Export
- In the "Export" section, activate "All Folders", check the box "Advanced Settings"
- Choose what to export (Mail, Contacts, Calendars, ...)
- Click on the "Export" button.
- For users of other applications we have an easy backup solution as well:
- Log in to interWaysMAIL Webmail (https://ssl.interways.de)
- Click on "Preferences" (Options)
- Click on Calendar
- Click on "Export as .ICS File" in the "Import/Export" section
- Save the exported file on your computer or external backup media
- Click on Address Boook
- Choose a file format (Standard: Outlook 2003 csv) in the "Import/Export" section.
- Click on "Export"
- Save the exported file on your computer or external backup media
- For Emails: Use an application like Thunderbird or others for POP3 download of your mails to your computer (see: Server Settings)
- Frequently download your mails to your computer using this application
- Apple iCal and Address Book users can backup using the built-in export functions (follow Setting up the Apple iSync Connectors export description)
Please make your backups frequently (best: daily) and thoroughly.
The backup files created following these steps are standards-conforming and can be used with most applications and providers.