How to Manage Data Files and Backups in Outlook

My brother has been going through some challenges with errors he’s receiving as he’s using Microsoft Outlook. I’ve stepped him through the basics of using the Inbox Repair tool and using the original install discs as a repair option, but he came across a site that does a great job of giving you loads of details of all the file types that are used by Outlook, where they’re stored and methods of backing things up when you need to before an potential emergency.

Where is my Outlook data stored, people often ask? Your Outlook folders are either in a mailbox on an Exchange Server or in Personal Folders .pst files on your system. You may also have a Personal Address Book .pab file if you use an older version of Outlook, however we recommend you import it into your Contacts folder as it is no longer supported.

Backup and dual-booting between Windows versions all involve using the same files. There is no backup process built into Outlook. To back up, simply exit Outlook, then copy the files you want to back up. Below we provide a chart of Outlook 2000/2002/2003 file locations, followed by notes on particular files and where they might be found in earlier versions.

If you’ve had some questions about Outlook details or even struggling with some errors of your own you’ll probably find this as a great resource to yourself now or at some point in the future.

Source: Outlook & Exchange / Windows Messaging Backup and Dual-Boot