Outlook Personal Folders Backup Tool

Discussion in 'other software & services' started by TheKid7, Jun 22, 2009.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. TheKid7

    TheKid7 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2006
    Posts:
    3,576
    I just downloaded and installed Microsoft's Outlook Personal Folders Backup Tool for the first time today. It seems to work OK. Has anyone else had any experiences with this tool (positive or negative)? I assume that it restores properly.

    http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA010875321033.aspx

    Thank you.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2009
    TheKid7, Jun 22, 2009
    #1
  2. Jo Ann

    Jo Ann Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2007
    Posts:
    619
    I've used it in the past and it worked ok (and yes, it restored fine). However, it did have 3 limitations that were important enough for me to look elsewhere.

    1. It could not backup to a predefined schedule.
    2. The pst file backups were not compressed.
    3. It was not able to do a backup if Outlook was open.

    If those limitations are not an issue for you, then it does the job.

    JA
     
    Jo Ann, Jun 22, 2009
    #2
  3. YeOldeStonecat

    YeOldeStonecat Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2005
    Posts:
    2,345
    Location:
    Along the Shorelines somewhere in New England
    Haven't used it, for stand alone workstations where I'm setting up a backup, I just use Cobian or NTBackup or Comodo Backup...and I include the PST along with the other data I'm backing up (such as My Docs, etc). This way you can schedule it, compress all the backup, etc.

    With Outlook (not Outlook Express)...it's all just 1 single PST file, by default located in the C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook folder.
     
    YeOldeStonecat, Jun 23, 2009
    #3
  4. Aaron Here

    Aaron Here Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Posts:
    1,205
    Location:
    USA
    Kid7, it's not free, but you might checkout OutBack Plus. :thumb:
     
    Aaron Here, Jun 23, 2009
    #4
  5. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    I use it and it's fantastic. The girls that work for me just click a button, and all data is backed up. Don't have to close down anything.

    Another neat, thing is it gets all the settings, so if you have to install Outlook and your data on another machine, you just install outlook, and then do a restore, and your good to go.

    Pete
     
    Peter2150, Jun 23, 2009
    #5
  6. Longboard

    Longboard Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    Posts:
    3,238
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Ahh: good timing:
    Pete: you've got backups of the backups of the backups...:)

    I do occasionally get a bit fatigued going through my images to pull out various files and so I've decided to trial some file based back-ups as an adjunct to the regular images and I've had some recent issues with Outlook.

    Is there some specific rationale to buying OutBack @ $39.95 vs say SynbackPro @ $49.95 or going the whole hog: Genie @ $69.95 (currently 20% off ie ~$50 ) or Backup4all Professional Edition version 4 @ $49.95 currently
    ??

    Any experiences?comments accepted gratefully: ?? new thread re file backup utilities.
    regards
     
    Longboard, Jun 24, 2009
    #6
  7. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,146
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    I backup Outlook.pst. Is that the same as your backup?
     
    Brian K, Jun 24, 2009
    #7
  8. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    Outback Plus, backs up all the settings, as well as the fact it can do the backup with Outlook open. Additionally it can back up any other data files you specify.
     
    Peter2150, Jun 24, 2009
    #8
  9. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    Hi Longboard

    Yep I sure do. The reason, is both my business and all the financial records of the organization for which I am treasurer are on the computers. No paper kept, so I can not afford to lose this stuff.

    This is why I use Shadowprotects continuous incrementals. I use Ajcsoftwares Active sync to keep the two desktops on the same page. I added Outback plus when I realized for some reason the sync's weren't getting all the settings. Outback Plus does. Not critical for daily stuff, but for installs it's much better.

    Also with a sync process you have to pay close attention to what's happening. Outback plus once you've set it up it's a one button push. This is important to me as the girls that work for me are more comfortable with that the monitoring the sync process where files can change depending on what's done on the computer.

    As to the other programs you mention, don't know, as I haven't looked at them.

    Pete
     
    Peter2150, Jun 24, 2009
    #9
  10. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    PS: Eazy Backup (from the same company as Outback Plus) will also do it:
    http://ajsystems.com/eazybackup/ezb.html

    (Note: I don't have Outlook, so I don't have experience in that respect. I do use Express Assist (same company) for my Outlook Express.)
     
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #10
  11. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    Hi Fanj

    You know I looked at that also, but there was some key difference, and I don't fully remember what. It may have been Outlook settings stuff. But there was a key difference.

    I would say both are excellent products, but if you are doing it for Outlook, look closely at the differences.

    Pete
     
    Peter2150, Jun 24, 2009
    #11
  12. Aaron Here

    Aaron Here Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Posts:
    1,205
    Location:
    USA
    While Eazy will backup Outlook, it won't do it if Outlook is open. OutBack (with it's optional Open File Manager) can backup Outlook when it's open!

    OutBack also allows you to merge Outlook data from the backup with your current Outlook data (so that a restore won't 'lose' your latest emails, calendar entries, etc). Furthermore, with OutBack you can actually view the Outlook data in the backup without affecting your current Outlook data. None of this can be done with Eazy Backup.
     
    Aaron Here, Jun 24, 2009
    #12
  13. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    Are you using version 6 or 7. I've 6 and wonder if it is worth upgrading.
     
    Peter2150, Jun 24, 2009
    #13
  14. Aaron Here

    Aaron Here Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Posts:
    1,205
    Location:
    USA
    Pete, I'm still using v6. I didn't see much advantage to v7 for my use as I don't use Vista or IE8 and that's where many of the enhancements were targeted. However, since OutBack 7 also supports the immanent Win7 and Office 2010, I'll update to OutBack 7 if and when I upgrade to Win7 and Office 2010.

    You can read about the OutBack 7 enhancements here.

    Aaron
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2009
    Aaron Here, Jun 24, 2009
    #14
  15. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #15
  16. Aaron Here

    Aaron Here Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2006
    Posts:
    1,205
    Location:
    USA
    Aaron Here, Jun 24, 2009
    #16
  17. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    Hi Pete,

    Somehow I seem to remember a KB article in the past on the AJSystems site describing what Express Assist (or Outback Plus) can do what Eazy Backup cannot do. Alas, I don't remember me whether it was for Express Assist or for OutBack Plus :oops: I'll try later to find it. It could be that it was about multiple Profiles.
     
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #17
  18. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    Hi Aaron,

    You could certainly well be correct on the merge and view issues !!
     
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #18
  19. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    Hi Pete and Aaron,

    I've sent an email to Al (with link to this thread) ;)
     
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #19
  20. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    Hi guys,

    I have already got replies from Al (hey did I mention before about the super support from AJSystems !!! :D ).

    Give me some time and I'll post back.
     
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #20
  21. FanJ

    FanJ Updates Team

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Posts:
    4,652
    About OutBack Plus here and Eazy Backup here

    OK, I just got the permission from Al to quote him here.

    Question:
    What is OutBack Plus capable to do that Eazy Backup cannot do?

    Answer from Al:
    Question:
    Can Eazy Backup 4 also do:
    1. merge your backed-up outlook.pst with your current outlook.pst
    2. view the backed-up outlook.pst without restoring it.

    Answer from Al:
    With many thanks to Al for his super (!) support, super fast (!) replies, and the permission to quote. Thank You Al :)
     
    FanJ, Jun 24, 2009
    #21
  22. Peter2150

    Peter2150 Global Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2003
    Posts:
    20,590
    Thanks Fanj

    I can not attest to their support, as I've never needed it. Outback Plus was easy to figure out, and has always just worked.

    Pete
     
    Peter2150, Jun 24, 2009
    #22
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...