Use Outback v1.4 to backup your Outlook archives (non-server .pst files)

How to backup your Outlook data (.pst file)

 

Unfortunately, you can't make a backup of your important Outlook .pst files (this is where all your archive data resides) while you are using Outlook.

Note : If your Outlook is connected to a corporate Microsoft Exchange server you probably are using a .pst file for archives. 

Here are two Options. 

Option 1 (Rethinkit’s Outback) does the backup before Outlook starts. 

Option 2 (MS Outlook Add-in) does the backup when you exit Outlook.

 

PROS  / CONS

-          Outback works passively, so if you do nothing it will back up your files.  With the add-in you have to say yes at the backup prompt.

-          Although Outback delays the start of Outlook (whenever a backup is required), it has a checkbox to start with Windows and another checkbox to start Outlook when it’s finished.  So you can walk away once you get Windows logged on.

-          The add-in interrupts the close of Outlook and potentially the shutdown of your machine when you might be in a hurry.

-          Outback checks timestamps to see if your files are already up-to-date and doesn’t bother with the copy if they are.  Problem here is timestamps are always updated even if Outlook just loads the .pst.

-          Using the add-in, If you cancel the file copy progress, the backup file it was working on gets deleted - so you end up with no backup of that file.  Not so for Outback.

-          Outback auto-adds any new .pst files that get added to Outlook.

 

  Option 1: Use Rethinkit's free Outback program.  It runs in your startup folder and every 10 days makes a copy of your .pst files before Outlook starts.

 

Get it here: http://www.rethinkit.com/products.html

 

Version History

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1.4 (2008-11-28)

- Started this version history file.

- Recognizes Outlook 2007 exe path. (or whatever your default mail program is).

- Creates backup folder if it does not exist.

- Days old on main screen now updates when you change options.

- Browse buttons in Options area now working

 

Option 2: Use the "Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders Backup" add-in to remind you (and make a) backup copy when you exit Outlook.

 

a) Find the add-in
It's called the Outlook 2003 Add-in Personal Folders Backup

Click here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=8b081f3a-b7d0-4b16-b8af-5a6322f4fd01&displaylang=en

 

b) Install it

Click the "download" button on the top right of the page.  When prompted where to save the "pfbackup.exe" file, just click the 'open' button and click through the installation screens.

 

c) Start the backup

The next time you start Outlook click "File... Backup..." to set up your backup. You will see this screen:

 

 

d) Set the options

Press the "Options" button to adjust the location and frequency of the backups:

 

 

 (1) Set the reminder frequency

 (2) Choose the folders to backup

 (3) Important :  Choose the location of the backup. (put them in your "My Documents\Outlook Backups" folder)

 

 

Click "Browse..."

(1) Click on "My Documents"

(2) Click on "Create New Folder"

(3) Enter the name "Outlook Backups"

Press the "Open" button to accept this location

Then click "OK" to accept these options

 

e) Perform your first backup

Click the "Save Backup" button. You will see this message:

 When you next exit Outlook the backup will begin and you will see a standard file copy dialog.