Windows 7: Backup Calander in Outlook 2010

I currently use a third party calander (rainlender) for memorable dates etc for the simple reason that I can backup the dates and events so if I ever have to re install to program I haven't lost the dates.

I would rathe use the calander in Outlook as it would actually prefer not to have to use a third party program, but I don't know how to back up the dates in the Outlook calander.

This means that if I had to re install Outlook I would also lose all my dates etc. does anyone know whether it is possible to to either archive or backup the calander in Outlook 2011.

regards

AF

Yes, you certainly can back up the Calendar data files -- I do. I use xcopy in a batch file which backs up all sorts of things. I statement looks like this:

@xcopy "d:\Outlook Data Files" "X:\Outlook Data Files" /D /y /s. 'X' is my external usb hard disk.

Notice I moved my data files from their installed default location on C: to D:. You can find the location of your data files via, in Outlook, File>Account Settings>Data Files.

Go for it and good luck!

Hi Bomber,

Your Outlook Calender is stored in the .PST file you use. So, if you backup the .PST file (using jsquareg's method, or simply by copying & pasting into a backup location (e.g. external USB drive) using Windows Explorer, then you are also backing up the calender.

Note : if you manage seperate accounts in seperate .PST files, then you may have more than one calender - simply backup all the required .PST files.

Make sure you exit and close Outlook completely, before you backup your .PST files.

Regards,
Golden

That looks great but how do you go about backing up like that?

You are absolutely correct about closing Outlook completely -- I learned the hard way!

Actually, my batch file contains the following surrounding the xcopy command(s):

REM Backup Outlook Data Files
@echo Outlook Data Files to F: Drive .....
TASKLIST /NH | FIND /I "Outlook.exe" > nul
SET NodLevel=%ERRORLEVEL%
IF %NodLevel%==0 GOTO IsRunning
@xcopy "d:\Outlook Data Files\*.*" "F:\Outlook Data Files" /D /Y /s
@echo Outlook Data Files to X:\
@xcopy "d:\Outlook Data Files" "X:\Outlook Data Files" /D /y /s
@echo ......

GOTO LEAVEOUTLOOK
:IsRunning
echo CANNOT BACK UP OUTLOOK PST FILES BECAUSE OUTLOOK IS RUNNING
:LEAVEOUTLOOK

The code will not execute the xcopy if Outlook is running.

Thanks for pointing out that point.

Here is a batch file that will do the job. Copy and paste into Notepad then save it as 'anynameyouwantot.bat' and execute it.

Notice it contains code that will prevent xcopying the data files if Outlook is running.

Good Luck!

cls
@echo off
REM Backup Outlook Data Files
@echo Outlook Data Files to F: Drive .....
TASKLIST /NH | FIND /I "Outlook.exe" > nul
SET NodLevel=%ERRORLEVEL%
IF %NodLevel%==0 GOTO IsRunning
@xcopy "d:\Outlook Data Files\*.*" "F:\Outlook Data Files" /D /Y /s
@echo Outlook Data Files to X:\
@xcopy "d:\Outlook Data Files" "X:\Outlook Data Files" /D /y /s
@echo ......

GOTO LEAVEOUTLOOK
:IsRunning
echo CANNOT BACK UP OUTLOOK PST FILES BECAUSE OUTLOOK IS RUNNING
:LEAVEOUTLOOK

@PAUSE
Exit