Creating backup of your outlook data and email account settings is as essential as creating backup of any data. This will help you in case of data loss or migrating from one system to other. In Outlook 2007 your e-mails are saved in a Personal Folder File with a .pst extension which does not include in your normal backup operation. Following these simple steps can help you to save and restore your e-mail, contacts, rules, task and more.
Backup your Email data – Microsoft Outlook 2007
1. The data is saved in a Personal Folder File (.pst) only if you are not using Microsoft Exchange account or Windows Live Mail account. For Microsoft Exchange Account or Windows Live Mail account your backup data is saved locally on your computer instead of the e-mail server.
There are two .pst files, one is the personal folder file which includes all of your Outlook folders, such as the Inbox, Calendar, tasks and Contacts and the other is the Archive Folder which includes archive messages of your Outlook.
2. You can easily locate the data files in outlook 2007 using the following steps.
Go to Main Menu of Outlook 2007, Click File and select Data File Management and Account setting window will pop up. The other way is to click on Tools menu and select Account settings from the drop down menu.
3. Click on the Data Files tab. You may have a single data file or multiple data files. These are the Data Files, wherein you store your email messages, tasks, calendar, tasks and other items.
4. Click on the Open Folder icon. Windows Explorer will be opened automatically and will take you to the location where this data file is stored. Now select the outlook.pst and archive.pst file you want to backup.
5. Now you can copy this file to any backup storage device. Make sure that your Outlook is closed before you backup these files.
Restore your Email data – Outlook 2007
Restoring is as simple as to backup your data. All you have to do is copy the backup PST files into the folder that you located when you backed up your work initially.
Backup/Export Account Settings - Outlook 2007
- Start > Run > type ‘regedit’
- Locate the following path in your ‘Registry Editor’
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Outlook
Now right click on the key outlook and select option: Export and save .reg files to your desired location. You can run the same file while restoring your outlook. This will restore your old outlook profile with all your email accounts settings and rules. You will need to enter your password as Password is not stored into .reg file.
It is difficult to locate the Personal folder files in the previous versions of Outlook; however it’s much simpler in Outlook 2007. Backing up and restoring data is easier, faster with the new Outlook 2007.
I took a back up of my outlook (.pst file) before formatting C-drive and re-installing windows XP. After installing Microsoft office, i restored my outlook with the saved .PST file. After restoring 3 files named archive, outlook and outlook1- the outlook is not working. it just hangs up. I can see that my emails are restored but just can't do anything with the open window. on right hand side lower corner i can see somethings running like running lights. I can't understand what went wrong or what is missing. can you please help m with the possible solution.
Found your article and it came in handy. I have moved my Outlook many times and always had to recreate the profiles. I tried what you said and it almost worked perfectly moving from Outlook 07 to 2010, both on Windows 7.
I have 4 accounts for different return addresses but all of them send mail through the smtp server which is through work.
When I opened Outlook after importing the reg, Outlook didn't take to the pst files first and I had to tell it which pst file to look at. When I reopened Outlook all the mail and contacts were back to normal but the emails were the problem. The account that uses the work server to send and receive works fine, but for the other 3, that only use the work server to send email, Outlook keeps asking for the password and says it can't connect.
I've checked the settings with my 07 version and they are all identical. I even repaired Outlook and still had no luck. I've deleted a profile and recreated it and still had the same problem. If you have any ideas that would be wonderful.
Thanks
How can the backup include signatures?
This article doesn't discuss how to restore entire calendars or contact lists
I get as far as
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\
and there is nothing for outlook :( only mine is listed, nothing else. under mine is nothing that says outlook
does anyone else have any suggestions? i read all the others posts but don't see anyone else with this issue
thanks in advance for any help
I had to install a replacement hard drive and so installed win7 (was on vista). I have successfully moved the .pst file and can open this in Outlook 2007 on win7 machine. I saved the account info with an export from regedit as helpfully indicated above, however if I run this and therefore update the Win7 registry I cannot start Outlook 2007 as the account information must include the location of the .pst file which is now pointing to an invalid drive and outlook doesn't even give the option for browsing it just shuts down after an error message indicating can't find the .pst file. Any way to restore the account information into the registry without the .pst file location being changed in the process? Anyone come across this problem?
I also had probllems running outllok 2007 after I added the .reg file to my regstry. Every time I selected the original profile it couldn't start outlook....
After many times of bkup / restore to the registry file, and numerous triels to edit the address (unsuccessfullly...) I tried 1 more option... When installing the Outlook, it creates a profile, So in the registry under 3.HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\ you have 2 folders - the newly created profile (lets call it "empty") and the 1 you have restored from the registry of the old machine (lets call it "accounts").
What I did was to delete the new profile "empty" (in the registry file) and rename the "accounts" >> "empty". Started outlook2007 and I got ALL my accounts ready and running (all 12 of them) :)
Some minor settings didn't pass - I only had 1 account in the receive / send group, but here it included alll of them, and as known already - no passwords. But it works, and that's the main thing :)
So thanks for the article, and good luck to all in trying this
This article was a lifesaver for me!
FYI, moved from windows 7 32bit to a different computer running win 7 64bit. The registry export worked like a charm.
Thanks for info. Much help!
Thank you so much. Your solution works beautifully. I wasted many hours trying to recover calendar data from XP to Windows 7. In addition, I needed to copy the following files:
wab32.dll
wab32res.dll
From:
\Program Files\Common Files\System
To:
\Windows\System32
Now Microsoft Outlook is fully functional.
I as well was trying to migrate Outlook 2007 settings to a new PC -old on XP too- and perplexed by lack of OS/free tools.
Reading thread convinced me, took the plunge and worked perfectly. I usually stay away from editing Registry, thus not only backed it up but set a Restore Point in case any issue came up. Thankfully no need to use them.
As I rely on an Exchange server, mailbox was a .OST file nor a .PST one. But took the chance and copied .OST as well, moved to same location on new PC, added Registry key and 15 mins later I was working again.
As shared in posts, passwords need to be setup again, but no need to import rules as those are migrated as part of process. Signatures and macros didn't migrate either, but recreating them was no biggie as had old machine handy.
Thus in a nutshell, thanks Naresh and followers for such good posts.
Will the reg copying technique work if I'm moving Outlook 2007 from an XP box to Outlook 2007 on Win 7?
Thanks.
-T
Hello, I didn't tried it, but when I'm looking to the Windows 7 registry, there are the same entries for Outlook like in XP. So I think you can try this without any worries.
XP to Windows 7 will not work. I personally tried it and it really screwed up my outlook. The only explanation I can come up with is because of the file path that the Outlook personal folders are located differ. Remember, XP and Windows 7 have different file management structures:
Windows XP:
C:\documents and settings\ ........
Windows 7:
C:\Users\.........
This is a great article Jan.
When exporting it's just for the Outlook key correct? I do not have to export the sub-keys?
Can you be a bit more detailed on how to import the registry settings in the new location? You mention "You can run the same file while restoring your outlook." What does that mean exactly? I figured it to mean open regedit and import the saved key.
Is that correct?
-T
Thanks T :-) Select the Outlook key when exporting. The sub-keys should be automatically included to the export.
Importing exported registry entries is very easy. You should have a .reg file. When you double click on it, the system will ask if it should import the entries to its register.
I have to change my outgoing mail settings in outlook 2007 depending whether I am working out of one location or another. Normally I work using an ATT DSL setup, so my outgoing email is through the sbc server. But when I work in another office with a comcast connection, everything sends fine, but @hotmail.com and other microsoft email addresses reject my email and will not deliver it, because I am on a comcast connection but sending through SBC.
Thus I have to change my outgoing server, username and password back and forth between the two.
Is there a way to backup these settings, restore the other, and vice versa depending where I am working?
This should helps you I think.
http://www.outlookpower.com/issues/issue200403/00001248001.html
http://windows.ittoolbox.com/groups/technical-functional/ms-exchange-l/s...
I took the backup of Outlook 2007 using the Export Option, and after the 4th of the backup I upgrade my system with Windows 7. Now in this window 7 again I restore the outllok 2007 backup .pst file.
My problem is that I can't see all the mail in outlook which I receive in between the Backup date and Restore Date.
can Anyone help me on that.
Hi,
i can follow the registry string till: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\
the folowing does not exist:
Windows Messaging Subsystem\Profiles\Outlook
i am running win Vista and i did that things before on same PC and OS. strange but the rest of the string is symply not there. any ideas?
thanks
Dave
If you are interested in doing a reinstall of outlook 2007, or wanting to move your outlook "ALL Your Settings", Including Accounts and Rules and pst's and archives, in one swell swoop. Migwiz worked for me.
On your computer with outlook 2007 email files, open migwiz from the 'run' command (Migration Wizard).
Select "Old Computer"
Select "other" for the transfer method, and select a storage location.. preferably on the target computer you are wanting to restore outlook to.
Select "Setting Only"!!! (believe me when I say it will copy the pst files and registry settings)
Select "Let me select a custom list of files" !!!! very important.
Remove everything except "Microsoft Office"
Thats it, allow to finish.
Then go to target computer.
Run MigWiz
Select "New Computer"
Select "I don't need the Wizard Disk"
Browse to the location of the saved migwiz file from above.
Finish.
When done, you will have an exact replica of your Outlook 2007, email, archives, accounts and rules.
Made me happy.
Regards
JimG
Hi Guys,
MigWiz is a good way to transfer all your outlook settings and email accounts to the new computer, BUT it does not import settings from Windows x64 to Windows x86 (32 bit). It says cannot transfer settings from Windows 64 bit to Windows 32 bit. Be very careful.
If you have this situation, then try the registry backup method. That works. Except, that you will have to have the same data paths for the .pst files.
Have Fun,
Harpreet
Great thread.
I am in the process of changing from Windows 7 32 bit to 64 bit and realise a clean install is required.
Question 1:
Will migwiz work for transferring Outlook 2007 setttings etc. My main priority is to be able to transfer my 12 or so account settings, with passwords if at all possible. (one or two passwords I am not sure of)
Question 2
Will the registry key transfer as noted above work in this scenario?
Thank you,
zzzmuzz
Hello, zzzmuzz. I think it should work. There is the same settings in both 32bit and 64bit Windows 7. But I am not sure about the passwords transfer.
Hi, thanks for your experience with MigWiz.
Hello everyone, here is my version of the problem...
I upgraded to Win7 yesterday and moved my .pst file to the correct location. I have everything up and running exept my account info. Now I can't access the registry since I have upgraded the OS. However, the installation put all my old windows files into a folder called Windows.old. Is there any way of retrieving the account information from that folder, which seems to have all the old system files intact?
Best wishes,
Bragi
Hello,
Windows registry files should be located in files named system.dat and user.dat. So using a special registry editor working offline with registry files should helps you. However I couldn't remeber which software is able to do it :-(
I tried to do exactly this. Both PCs run XP SP3 and Office 2007. When running migwiz (datestamped 3 Aug 2004) MS Office does not appear in the list of settings that one can choose from. This is not supposed to happen but it does. Searched on the net for a solution but could not find any explanation. Are there different migwiz.exe versions ?
Actually, yes you are right. I ran into this same issue on another migration.
What has happened here is that the steps shown were from a computer that had Outlook 2003 upgraded to outlook 2007. When the XP version of Migwiz is run, it finds the Outlook 2003 references in the registry, which are also used by 2007 outlook. I started to work on a custom ini file for this, but found another solution.
If you can find a copy of a Vista cd. Look in the ..\support\migwiz folder and run migwiz from the Vista CD. Migwiz from this cd was able to find the Outlook 2007 files. The steps are not exactly as stated in this thread, but you should be able to adjust accordingly.
I did not dig on the Microsoft site to see if there are any latest/greatest migwiz updates for Xp.
Regards
JimG
Be aware: "If you have 32-bit Windows XP and while upgrading 64-bit Windows 7 you might run into some problems. I was unable to transfer user settings from a 32-bit to a 64-bit system using [Migwiz.exe] during a previous upgrade."
-T
Thanks for your tutorial Jim!
When using:
Backup/Export Account Settings - Outlook 2007
I found out to reverse adding additional email accounts, one must delete each one, rather than installing an alternate .reg file.
Using a scheme involving the feature above, I did find out a good way to forward my work emails normally recieved on my laptop, by transferring these accounts to my desktop, for when I travel. I then made a rule to forward all work emails from my desktop at home to my cell phone. I set these accounts to not delete the messages from the server, so I could get them all back on my laptop when I returned.
This bit of work allowed me to use an unlimited e-mail feature for an extra $5 a month, rather than getting a smartphone or blackberry, and an additional data plan onto my voice plan.
Thank you very much you saved me a lot of time.
I didn't expect this to work as I was copying from Outlook 2007 on XP to Outlook 2007 on Vista.
Live long and prosper.
This info about copying the registry information is pure gold. Never have heard any mention of reg files associated in the Outlook transfer process. THanks a bunch man
It has worked so well!!!! pity that passwords are not there, but it is so simple, easy and time saving...
Sometimes Internet gives a real help on this sort of needs.
Keep well and thanks for the help
It might or might not be of importance but on various occasions it proved pretty usefull to also backup the .NK2 file located in drive:\Documents and Settings\user name\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder.
NK2 file is the autocomplete name list which is used when typing an address in outlook.
Cyberling
First of all, nice info provided..Recently i formatted my pc.Due to which i later reinstalled my outlook.I have .pst file of my old mails.However, when i do send recieve, all my old mails are duplicated.Is it possible to just get mails which are not there in my outlook?Is there any way to avoid duplication of mails.I had not backupd my profile.I had previously just backuped my .pst file.Expecting your reply at earliest.Thanks in advance.
Maybe the Duplicate Email Remover should be useful for you.
This is free duplicate remover will get the job done http://www.vaita.com/ODIR.asp and even works on win7 x64. enjoy
Hi,
This is a good article. My only question is how can I backup and restore all the email rules I have (so i can restore them when I use your article to backup and retore outlook.
Thank you, and keep up the writing!
If you want a more complete Outlook 2007 guide (that also includes rules) you should try this one http://www.optimizewindows7.net/software/complete-outlook-2007-backup-and-transfer-guide/. It helped me many times. It also includes rules, emails, contacts and tasks.
Hello, I think the problem is that you have all your e-mails stored on the mailserver. So after "Send/Receive all" these e-mails are copied to your computer. The only chance how to avoid the duplicates is not to use the backup and receive the e-mails from mailserver. Or, delete all on your mailserver and use the backup.
Thank you very much - it was very useful for me.
Thanks for taking time to share.
The text under the picture of Registry editor make no sense me. You talk about .pst - files, but you don't get that from the registry editor. You'll get a reg-file.
What do you to get this right?
The backup/restore of accounts in Outlook 2007 is NOT easier - its harder!
Old Outlook had its own export/import of the accounts that you could save as seperate files, as an iaf-file for each account. Then you could import the accounts into another Outlook to be used there. In that way you could made a backup of each account.
A warning about pst-files: Do NOT make a copy (backup) of a pst-file while Outlook is open. Your backup will fail and be of 0-byte!
Thanks.
Hello Ole, thanks for your suggestion. You are right. There should be a text about REG files. I edited the article.
Used the procedure you describe and it worked like a charm. Before I hit your site I looked around searching for an answer to that question. It's incredible that there are commercial solutions around while it is all in the system - if you know where. I would have felt stupid entering 8 accounts with a partly tricky setup again. On the other hand, why pay $25.00 - 30.00 for a program you use only once in a couple of years when you set up yor system anew or buy a new machine?
So, again, thank you very much for your insight and the greatness to make your knowledge public .
I'm lazy so I'd rather pay for a piece of software that DOES ALL the backups i/c NK2 files.
Many thanks
Norm
I remember once losing everything in my inbox--aaarrrggg.
Well, I use a Mac now.
I bought a new hard drive for my PC, I backed up all the data that I thought was important. My docs, my pictures, desktop files, ect. I reinstalled windows on my new hard drive and couldn't work out how to get my Outlook data back. Thankfully after reading this, and keeping the data on my previous hard drive I have found my PST file and seamlessly transferred the data across. Thank you for ending my headache. This post is now bookmarked for future reference!