How To Backup Outlook PST While Open (Windows 2000/XP)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Peter D
  • Start date Start date
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Peter D

Can anyone recommend a method/software to backup the Outlook PST while it is
in use?

The workstations systems are Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The Server is
Windows 2000 Server. The PSTs are currently stored on the workstations
(locally) but I have recommended they be places on the Server. Either
location works fine.

Thanks
 
Peter said:
Can anyone recommend a method/software to backup the Outlook PST
while it is in use?

The workstations systems are Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The Server
is Windows 2000 Server. The PSTs are currently stored on the
workstations (locally) but I have recommended they be places on the
Server. Either location works fine.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Be careful. Accessing a pst file over a network is NOT supported by
Microsoft.
You can't backup or copy a pst file while Outlook is running. (Well you CAN,
but you run a real risk of corrupting the pst file)
 
Peter D said:
Can anyone recommend a method/software to backup the Outlook PST
while it is in use?
Click to expand...

There is NO safe way to do so. Any attempt to copy an open PST can (and
often does) result in an internally inconsistant copy that will not be
usable in the event of loss of the original.
The workstations systems are Windows 2000 and Windows XP. The Server
is Windows 2000 Server. The PSTs are currently stored on the
workstations (locally) but I have recommended they be places on the
Server. Either location works fine.
Click to expand...

Network-hosted PSTs are susceptible to corruption if a network link drops at
certain critical points in the PST update process.
 
Be careful. Accessing a pst file over a network is NOT supported by
Microsoft.
Click to expand...

Yes, thanks for letting me know. I've dropped that idea. :-(
You can't backup or copy a pst file while Outlook is running. (Well you CAN,
but you run a real risk of corrupting the pst file)
Click to expand...

I found the MS pst backup utility. Works fine, but it requires outlook to be
closed. I've been searching the internet and found some products that claim
to backup the pst while outlook is running. Any thoughts on this? (I've
started another thread so that it may prove useful to other readers).
 
Hi Gordon,

Could you please tell me where you found information stating that "Accessing
a pst file over a network is NOT supported by Microsoft?" I'm trying to make
a case against end-users at my company using .psts so this information could
be useful.

TIA
 
I believe it's stated in the ORK (look for it at office.microsoft.com) - if
not, then a KB article.

If you are using Exchange server, they should not be using psts. leaving it
on the server allows you to back it up and allows them to access it from
anywhere via owa or roaming profiles.
 
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