Backing Up Your Outlook Data
Creating a backup of your Outlook data helps protect your emails, contacts, and calendar events in case you switch devices, upgrade Outlook, or face unexpected issues. Follow these steps to back up your data in Outlook versions 2003 through 2024:
Open Outlook on your computer.
Click File > Open & Export.
Select Import/Export.
Choose Export to a file and click Next.
Select Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
Pick the folders you want to back up, such as Inbox, Sent Items, Contacts, and Calendar. To back up everything, select your email account at the top.
Click Next, then choose a location to save the backup file. We recommend saving it in your Documents folder or a dedicated backup folder on your Desktop.
Give the backup file a clear, recognizable name and click Finish.
Optionally, you can set a password to protect your backup file for added security.
Restoring Your Outlook Data
To restore your Outlook data after installing Outlook on a new computer or after an upgrade, follow these steps for Outlook versions 2003 through 2024:
Open Outlook.
Click File > Open & Export.
Select Open Outlook Data File (.pst).
Navigate to the location where you saved your backup file.
Select the backup file and click OK.
Your emails, contacts, and calendar events will be imported into Outlook.
Additional Tips
Make sure you have sufficient storage space to save and restore your backup files.
Regularly repeat the export process to keep your backup up to date.
If you use Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), your emails are automatically backed up to the cloud.
SCREENSHOT NEEDED: Outlook File menu showing the Open & Export option and the Import/Export wizard steps.