How to Back Up Outlook: Save Your Emails

Back up Outlook

Your emails, contacts and calendar in Microsoft Outlook often hold years of important information.

What gets saved?

• Email messages
• Contacts
• Calendar items
• Tasks
• Notes
• Rules and settings

Export to a PST file

Step 1: Open the export wizard

1. Start Outlook
2. Click File
3. Select Open & Export
4. Click Import/Export

Step 2: Choose the export type

1. Select Export to a file
2. Choose Outlook Data File (.pst)

Step 3: Select the folders

1. Select the top folder
2. Check Include subfolders

Step 4: Save the file

1. Click Browse
2. Choose an external drive or cloud storage
3. Give the file a clear name
4. Click Finish

Restore a backup

1. Go to File > Open & Export
2. Click Import/Export
3. Choose Import from another program or file
4. Select your PST file

FAQ

What is the difference between PST and OST?

PST is local and you can back it up. OST is a local copy of your Exchange mailbox.

How big can an Outlook backup get?

A PST file can grow up to 50 GB.

How often should I make a backup?

Weekly to monthly for business use.