How do I back up email?

JennyP

I want to reformat my computer so am backing everything up.

Please could someone tell me how to back up all my emails from Outlook?

Thanks!

robmar0se

Depending on yr operating system, Outliook files are stored in different folder structures eg in Local Folders in XP, and User folders in Vista/7

May be easier for you to search for all *.PST files, note the location, and then save these - with the folders where yr PST files are located you may find files with the same name with the *.bak file designation, these are older backup versions.

JennyP

robmar0se wrote: »

Depending on yr operating system, Outliook files are stored in different folder structures eg in Local Folders in XP, and User folders in Vista/7

May be easier for you to search for all *.PST files, note the location, and then save these - with the folders where yr PST files are located you may find files with the same name with the *.bak file designation, these are older backup versions.

How will I get outlook to "see" them again please? When I have reloaded everything?

Shaun_d123

In outlook, click on file , import & export.

Export to a file

Personal File Folder (*.pst)

Click on include subfolders when window apears

Then click next and browse where you want to save the .pst file to (external drive etc)

This will create a .pst file which you will just need to import once you have reformatted

birkee

You want the easy way?
create a file on your desktop labelled "inbox", and the same for "sent" and "deleted" etc.
Open your email programme, select ANY file in the "inbox", then click "ctrl +A" which selects ALL of them, then right click on any one, and drag and drop the whole lot into the relevant file on your desktop.
(This does not delete them from your email programme)

Save your files to somewhere convenient the same as any other file.
Just reverse the process to drag them back when you're ready.

You can do this before making any changes, to check you have them all.

robmar0se

JennyP wrote: »

How will I get outlook to "see" them again please? When I have reloaded everything?

Just import the file(s) using the outlook file/import command

JennyP

I've created the back up files with .pst things..... but I can't get my computer to copy these to a DVD for some strange reason. I just get error messages! Any ideas?

leemoss

What is the error message? How large are the .pst files?

torquey

Try closing Outlook and copying again.

if outlook is open the PST is in use and you cannot do anything it.

john87_2

dont forget you may have an archive.pst file aswell.

to check in outlook
File
Open
Outlook data file

robmar0se

Hi

If you did as I originally suggested and found the location of your PST files, then it is really a very straightforward process to copy/back them up.

As others have said it depends on the size of the PST file, in pre 2003 versions the size of these files were limited to 2gb, after this they can be any realistic size. So make sure that Outlook is closed,, that you do have a DVD in your drive and you use an appropriate program to copy them to a DVD, eg Nero.

If using XP you may find that using XP to drag and drop these files may not work in terms of subsequent writing to a DVD, you need a program such as Nero, Roxio etc.