Backing up Microsoft Outlook Email on Windows XP

[Spookster]

I'm getting ready to reload my system and I need to back up my Microsoft Outlook 2002 email and and account settings and address book.

I've backed up the Outlook.pst file which is what Microsoft says to do to back up Outlook but they didn't mention if that also contained the address book and email account settings. Does anyone know?

[Spookster]

Ok figured out part of it. I tried searching my computer for the .pab address book file and it didn't exist which led me to figure out that all my address information was being stored in Outlooks contact section so I don't actually have an address book. I used the Import/Export feature to backup the contact information. I'm betting though that it was already backed up in the Outlook.pst file though.

Now I just need to figure out how to back up the Outlook email account settings so I don't have to set them up again.

[Spookster]

It seems that Microsoft decided to remove the email account export feature starting in Outlook 2002. Great!!! So now if you do not use Outlook with Exchange Server you are pretty much out of luck in exporting or backing up your email accounts information by any conventional means.

[oracleguy]

I'm using Office 2003 so I dunno if this exists in 2002, but under "Mircosoft Office Tools" in the start menu there is a save my settings wizard. I've used it before and it works really well, it even remembers toolbar positions and stuff.

If you have that feature, it is your best bet.

[Spookster]

I have OfficeXP and it has that but I didn't know what it was. Does it save your Outlook email account settings?

[Antoniohawk]

This might be of some use: [http://www.backsettings.com/outlook-express-backup.html]

[Spookster]

^ thanks but I can't really justify paying $30 when all I have are 3 email accounts to backup. I'm lazy but i'm not thaaat lazy. :D

[oracleguy]

I have OfficeXP and it has that but I didn't know what it was. Does it save your Outlook email account settings?

Yeah it does... I think... :o I've only used it at work and I use an exchange server for mail so I'm not 100%.

[Antoniohawk]

Sorry about that Spooks, I thought it was free.

[Roy Sinclair]

If you're running XP look for the 'File Transfer and Settings Wizard" in the Start Menu. You should be able to use that to save not only your email settings but much of your other personalizations and then reload them into your new install.

If you're not running XP (now) but are moving to XP you can also use the Wizard since you can use it to create an installation disk to add that utility to the source computer.