Now, let’s see how you can do a backup of your PST file.

  • PST File – Manual Copy

To backup your PST file, an easy way is to copy that file to somewhere else. Here repair pst file you will learn how to repair your PST file. Under Win XP, you will find it at:

C:/Documents and Settings/%username%/Local Settings/Application Data/Microsoft/Outlook/

For Win 7 users or Windows Vista ones, the file is here:

C:/Users/%username%/AppData/Local/Microsoft/Outlook/

The next step is to copy the file from the above location to another folder (or file), to an external hard disk, to an USB flash drive or even to a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM.

If you do have a system crash and wants to restore the data, simply open Outlook and go to ‘File’ – ‘Data File Management’ and choose the ‘Data File’ option. Check here pst backup to learn how to backup pst file, and here corupt pst how to repair corrupt pst file. Browse for your backup file and open it.

  • If you want to use the PST file from a different location

The moment your Windows will crash, be aware that files and folders on the C drive will become compromised. A good thing to do is to move your PST file to another drive than the one you’re using. Then simply set the Outlook path for the file to that other drive. In order to do that, close your Outlook, move your PST file from the above folder then start again Outlook, browse to go to the new location when you do see the prompt.

Rename your old Outlook file to something different (use a different file extension) so it will be easy to retrieve it if something is to happen to the relocated file.

  • Import and Export

Including with MS Outlook, there is a feature enabling end-users to export their personal folders besides re-importing them later. If you want to export the PST file to some different and secure location on your hard drive, you can use this method. You will also be able to re-import the file if there is a system crash. To export the PST file, in Outlook, go to ‘File’ – ‘Import and Export’. Then in the dialogue box coming up, choose ‘Export to a File’. Select ‘Personal Folder File (.pst)’ in the next window. On the following dialog box, choose the folders you need to export. Keep the Include subfolders checkbox ticked to ensure that all your folders and subfolders are included in the exported file. In the next window that comes up, choose a filename for the exported file and browse for its new location.

To import datas from the backup, go to ‘File’ – ‘Import and Export’ then on the Dialogue box, choose ‘Import from another program or file’. Then select ‘Personal Folder File (.pst)’. Navigate to your backup file then import it. After that, the old configuration from that old file will be applied to your Outlook.

  • Use the PST file backup add-in

You can also backup your PST file with a single click. Including with Outlook, there is a free add-in that can do that (thanks to Microsoft !). That add-in is called ‘Personal Folders Backup’, from Microsoft. You simply have to download and install it. This adds a new option titled Backup to the File menu. This handy tool allows you to choose which files and folders to backup, as well as the frequency of scheduled backups.