Reference number: CH000457

Backing up local Microsoft Outlook files.

Issue:

Backing up local Microsoft Outlook files.

Additional information:

This document helps explain how to backup local Microsoft outlook and outlook express files. It is important to note that some companies may store your e-mail or outlook files on a network server, therefore the below information will not apply.

Cause:

Users who have large amounts of e-mail or information in outlook that they wish to backup may find it necessary to backup the mail in case that information is erased.

Solutions:

Microsoft Outlook Express users
Microsoft Outlook users

Microsoft Outlook Express users

Microsoft Outlook Express stores the files in the below types of files.

*.wab files are Microsoft Outlook Express address book files.
*.mbx files are Microsoft Outlook Express mail folders.

The Microsoft Outlook Express 5x Block Sender List and Other Mail Rules are stored in the computer's registry.

Backing up the Outlook Express address book.

1. Locate the file by using the Windows find tool. Click Start / Find / Files or Folders.
2. In the Named box type *.wab - ensure the Look in box is looking on the drive that Microsoft Outlook is located (usually the C: drive).
3. Click Find Now
4. This should locate the Microsoft Outlook Express address book, if present. Generally, this file will be the Outlook Express user's name.
5. Once this file is located, copy the file to an alternate drive or backup media such as a Zip disk.

Backing up the Outlook Express mail

1. Locate the file by using the Windows find tool. Click Start / Find / Files or Folders.
2. In the Named box type *.mbx - ensure the Look in box is looking on the drive that Microsoft Outlook is located (usually the C: drive).
3. Click Find Now
4. This should locate the Microsoft Outlook Express address book, if present. If more than one .mbx file is located, it is likely that you have more than one mail folder and it is recommended that you copy all the files you wish to backup.
5. Once this file is located, copy the file to an alternate drive or backup media such as a Zip disk.

Backing up the Outlook Express 5x Block Sender List

Note: The below steps take the user through the system registry. If you are unfamiliar with the system registry and the potential risks you take by editing the registry, please see our registry page first.

1. Open the Registry by clicking Start / Run and typing regedit and clicking ok.
2. Locate the below registry key.
   
   HKEY/CURRENT/USER\Identities\{Identity Number}\Software\
   Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0\Block Senders
   
   
3. Once in the above registry key, click Registry in the Regedit menu and click "Export Registry File..."
4. Save the Block Senders.reg file to desktop or your backup location.

Backing up the Microsoft Outlook 5x Other Mail Rules

Note: The below steps take the user through the system registry. If you are unfamiliar with the system registry and the potential risks you take by editing the registry, please see our registry page first.

1. Open the Registry by clicking Start / Run and typing regedit and clicking ok.
2. Locate the below registry key.
   
   HKEY/CURRENT/USER\Identities\{Identity Number}\Software\
   Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0\Rules\Mail
   
   
3. Once in the above registry key, click Registry in the Regedit menu and click "Export Registry File..."
4. Save the Block Senders.reg file to desktop or your backup location.
5.  

Microsoft Outlook users

Microsoft Outlook stores the files in the below types of files.

*.pab files are Microsoft Outlook address book files.
*.pst files are Microsoft Outlook mail files book files.
*.rwz files are the Microsoft Outlook rules wizard files.

Backing up the Microsoft Outlook address book

1. Locate the file by using the Windows find tool. Click Start / Find / Files or Folders.
2. In the Named box type *.pab - ensure the Look in box is looking on the drive that Microsoft Outlook is located (usually the C: drive).
3. Click Find Now
4. This should locate the Microsoft Outlook address book, if present. 
5. Once this file is located, copy the file to an alternate drive or backup media such as a Zip disk.

Backing up the Microsoft Outlook mail

1. Locate the file by using the Windows find tool. Click Start / Find / Files or Folders.
2. In the Named box type *.pst - ensure the Look in box is looking on the drive that Microsoft Outlook is located (usually the C: drive).
3. Click Find Now
4. This should locate the Microsoft Outlook mail file, if present. Generally, this file is mailbox.pst.
5. Once this file is located, copy the file to an alternate drive or backup media such as a Zip disk.

Backing up the Microsoft Outlook rules wizard files

1. Locate the file by using the Windows find tool. Click Start / Find / Files or Folders.
2. In the Named box type *.rwz - ensure the Look in box is looking on the drive that Microsoft Outlook is located (usually the C: drive).
3. Click Find Now
4. This should locate the Microsoft Outlook rules file, if present. Generally, this file is rules.rwz.
5. Once this file is located, copy the file to an alternate drive or backup media such as a Zip disk.

Backing up the Microsoft Outlook signatures

Each of the Microsoft Outlook signatures you have are backed up as signature.txt, signature.rtf, and signature.htm, where 'signature' is the name of each of the signatures you have.

1. Locate the signature file by using the Windows find tool. For the name of the file type signature*.* where 'signature' is the name of one of your signatures. Usually these files are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures or similar directory.
2. Once you have located them, select each of the signatures you wish to backup and copy to your backup destination.