Difference between PST files for backup

[Guest]

What is the difference between the PST file that is located by default in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

and the PST file that is generated by EXPORT from outlook?

Does one have to run EXPORT to generate a PST file for backup or can one
just backup the PST file in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

Thank you for your help.

 

[Guest]

What is the difference between the PST file that is located by default in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

and the PST file that is generated by EXPORT from outlook?

Does one have to run EXPORT to generate a PST file for backup or can one
just backup the PST file in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

Thank you for your help.

The PST file is the extension given to Outlook's data file. The contents of
the PST you export is depending up what you select to export. It can be any
of the data (including all of the data) that you see in your Microsoft
Outlook. This is the data of your saved emails, Calendar, Contact, Tasks,
Notes, etc.

You can actually copy one of your main PST file to a floppy or any other
safe area. You could then open it up on a different computer (or the same
computer if you loose your main data file) and see the same data duplicated
exactly.

-- L. James

 

[Brian Tillman]

What is the difference between the PST file that is located by
default in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

and the PST file that is generated by EXPORT from outlook?

Exported PSTs will include less data. There is some information in a normal
PST that does not survive exporting. You should never export to a PST.

Does one have to run EXPORT to generate a PST file for backup or can
one just backup the PST file in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

Just make a copy of your PST with Outlook closed and you have a backup.

 

[L. D. James]

What is the difference between the PST file that is located by default in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

and the PST file that is generated by EXPORT from outlook?

Does one have to run EXPORT to generate a PST file for backup or can one
just backup the PST file in

C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\USER.pst

Thank you for your help.

ATK31, I notice that some one suggested to you that you should never
export your PST data. I think it's best that you know the difference
so that you will know when to export and when to backup (copy) the
default PST file. If there is an occasion that you need your contacts,
you will do well to export an extremely small file that you could put
on a floppy or email to your office and have all your contacts.

As I mentioned, the exported file will be the data you specify. The
default file generated and used by the program has all your data. If
you need all your data in a different location, it would might be
necessary to copy the PST file. You'll have all your saved email, all
the saved email attachments, the trash can (deleted items), my PST file
contains all my sorted email from far back. It's almost 300 megs in
size. I back up the file regularly and rotate my backups. However, if
I need something specific in a different location, maybe I'll be
working on a Christmas mailing list (or any other type of list), I
might export my contacts.

There are times when I export a certain category of my contacts and
send to an associate so that he can work with the list.

The export option is a very convenient and powerful tool. You asked a
good question for understanding the difference. If you want all your
data, you would copy the PST file. If you want to choose certain data,
you'd best use the export option.

-- L. James

 

[Guest]

L.D. James, thank you for your detailed response.

The conclusion is that one should definitely use COPY for backup of the PST
file.

Note also that the EXPORT operation takes a rather long time when the PST
file is large.

There is just one marginal advantage of using EXPORT: the resulting PST file
is somewhat smaller than the original PST file.

You mentioned a specific need of exporting the OUTLOOK CONTACTS. It might be
convenient to EXPORT the CONTACTS to an XLS file (rather than a PST file) so
that it can be viewed and edited by EXCEL.

---- ATK31