Area: Electronic Mail
Topic: Backing Up Your Outlook Electronic Mail

Background
A number of users have asked us how they can backup their electronic mail in Microsoft Outlook.

Answer
Please note that the following proceedures are valid only for Outlook with the Internet Mail Only option.

You can determine this by opening Outlook and clicking on Help and then About Microsoft Outlook. Look for the "Internet Only" option.

Microsoft Outlook stores its data in the Personal Folder file (.pst / PST) - when you're not using a Microsoft® Exchange Server). Each Personal Folder file contains all of your Outlook folders, including the Inbox, Calendar, and Contacts.

You may have a single .pst file (usually called "Internet Folders" or "Personal Folders" in your Folder List), and you may also have an additional .pst file that you use to archive messages (named "Archive Folders"). By backing up these PST files you will be backing up all your Outlook information.

1.	To find your pst files. Right-click on the Outlook Today icon found in your Outlook shortcuts, or the Outlook Today icon found in your folder list and then left-click "Properties".
2.	Once the Properties dialog box is displayed, click the "Advanced" button.
3.	The "Path...", indicates where your Personal Folder file can be found.
4.	Navigate to this folder. Within the folder you should find an outlook.pst file.
5.	Copy and paste this file to a Zip disk or other backup source. Please nore it will probably be too large to copy to a floppy disk.
6.	If you archive your email, as outlined href be sure to backup the archive.pst file as well.
7.	While you are busy backing this file up you may also wish to look at the following list and back up any of those files applicable to your system as well. Personal Folders .pst files Outlook Bar shortcuts .fav files Rules Wizard rules .rwz files Nicknames .nick files Customized toolbar settings .outcmd.dat Customized system folder views .Views.dat Macros and VBA programs .VbaProject.otm Signatures .rtf, .htm, and .txt files Stationary .htm files Templates .oft files Dictionary .dic files Stores a reference to which extensions (addins) you have loaded. extend.dat files

Remember you can find this and other useful technical tips under "Member Services" at http://www.tech2u.com.au.

Happy backuppering.
TECH 2U P/L