How to Backup/Restore Outlook Account? In the high demands of cyber security, it becomes essential to back up email files. Since contacts and emails are the most prominent aspects of Outlook account, therefore it is quite necessary to back up your Outlook data in the most convenient way. Microsoft Outlook automatically saves tasks, messages, journal entries, contacts, appointments, notes and others in one of the given locations: a) In a personal storage folder as .pst file on hard disk drive. b) In a mailbox, data is located on server if you use Outlook with Microsoft Exchange Server. What will happen if your data lose unexpectedly, experience a hardware failure or have to transfer data from one computer or hard disk drive to another computer/hard disk drive? To avoid all such problems, it will be a wise decision to use a backup of your .pst file. Outlook stores data in folders on the Exchange Server if the Location field consists of a path to a file that has the file name extension .ost. 1: Take backup of Outlook account. 1) Understand where Outlook stores data - All emails, folders, contacts, calendars and more are stored in a single .pst or .ost file on your computer. Simply copy the file to create a full backup of your Outlook account. 2) Open folder that consist your Outlook data file Navigate to "C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlo ok". You can do this in the following ways: o o o Initially, display hidden files and then open an Explorer window and navigate to this folder. To display hidden files, just click the "View" tab and select "Hidden items," or click "View" menu, select "Folder options," and then check "Display hidden files and folders." It will help you to see the "AppData" folder in your User folder. Press ⊞ Win, type %appdata% and press ↵ Enter to open the "Roaming" folder. Go up one level so that you're in "AppData" folder then open "Local" → "Microsoft" → "Outlook" In Windows XP, the location is C:\Documents and Settings\%username%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\. 3) Find the .pst and .ost files – User can have either .pst or an .ost file in which the data files for Outlook account is saved. The files will be named after the email address they are associated with. Copy the file by selecting it and then right-click it and select "Copy" 4) Decide how you want to back-up the file - You can firmly backup this data file either creating multiple backups, as it will help ensure that your file is safe in some another case. o Simply copy .pst files to a USB drive which will be around 10-100 MB in size. o You can burn the file to a disc. o You can upload the file to a cloud storage service such as Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. It will help you to access to the file anywhere where you have internet connection. 2: Restoring your Backup of Outlook. 1) Copy the backup file to your computer – Firstly, copy the backup file on a computer's local storage from its original place i.e., USB drive, disc, or uploaded cloud storage and keep it anywhere, either in any folder or desktop. 2) Click the File tab or Office button - Click the File menu if you are using Outlook 2003. 3) Select "Open & Export" or "Open" – Here, you will find a list of options. 4) Click "Open Outlook Data File" - It will show you the file browser. 5) Browse for the data file - Navigate to data file that you previously copied to your local storage. Choose it and click "Open" to load the file. 6) Use your backup – All the Outlook backup data files will be loaded, including folders, messages, contacts, calendar entries and others. In case, you face any issues while making back up of your Microsoft Outlook account then connect with Outlook support and get step by step guidelines for appropriate details and information.