Unlike your photos, documents etc - backing up emails is not quite so easy, as the files are usually stored hidden away and not in an obvious location like your documents are
Using a backup program such as PC Assist Backup Wizard makes this process a lot simpler, as it automates the backing up of Windows Live Mail and Outlook files so you only have to tick the relevant box to back up your emails
The table below explains how you would locate your email files and contacts depending on what method you use to view your emails:-
WEBMAIL
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If you use webmail (i.e. you send/receive your emails by visiting the website of your email provider) then you do not need to worry about backing up, as the emails are stored on your email providers system and not on your hard disk - so they will be accessible from any computer |
OUTLOOK EXPRESS
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All emails are stored in .dbx files - to find the location of these files open Outlook Express, click Tools > Options, click on the Maintenance tab and choose Store Folder - this dialog box will then show you the location of your emails
Default location is usually: C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Identities\[identity ID]\Microsoft\Outlook Express\
To backup your address list, click File > Export > Address Book, choose to export as a Text File (Comma Separated Values) and click browse to choose where to save the backup of your contacts |
WINDOWS MAIL
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All emails are stored in a database located on your C: drive - to find the location of these files open Windows Mail, click Tools > Options, click on the Advanced tab and choose Maintenance and then click Store Folder - this dialog box will then show you where your emails are located
Default location is usually: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Mail\
To backup your contacts, click Tools > Windows Contacts - this will open your contacts folder and you can back up all the files it contains |
WINDOWS LIVE MAIL
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All emails are stored in a database located on your C: drive - to find the location of these files open Windows Live Mail, press Alt to bring up the menus and then click Tools > Options, click on the Advanced tab and choose Maintenance and then click Store Folder - this dialog box will then show you where your emails are located
Default location is usually: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail\
To backup your contacts, open Windows Live Mail, click Contacts and then click Export, choose to export as Comma Separated Values (.CSV), click browse and choose where you wish to save your backup |
MICROSOFT OUTLOOK
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All emails, contacts, calendar entries, tasks and notes in Outlook are stored in a single .pst file - to find the location of these files varies depending on whether you are using Outlook 2003, 2007, 2010 or 2013
Outlook 2003: Click File > Data File Management Outlook 2007: Click File > Data File Management Outlook 2010/2013: Click File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files
Default location is usually: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\ |
