How to Backup IMAP Email in Outlook 365 – 2 Ways Included

User Case: Need to backup IMAP account in Outlook

If you're using Outlook 365 with an IMAP account, it's essential to back up your emails to prevent data loss due to system issues or other unexpected events. In this guide, I'll show you how to back up IMAP emails in Outlook 365, covering several methods to help you secure your data. Keep reading for all the details.

How to Backup Imap Email Outlook 365 in 2 Effective Ways

Here I have mentioned some methods that you can use to backup your IMAP mailbox in Outlook 365.

Method 1: Exporting Emails from Outlook

One of the easiest ways to backup your IMAP email in Outlook 365 is to export your mailbox data to a PST file. Here's how to do it.

1. Open Outlook 365 and select the email folder that you want to backup.

2. Click on the "File" tab in the top left corner of the screen.

3. Select "Open & Export" from the left-hand menu and then click on "Import/Export".

4. In the Import and Export Wizard, select "Export to a file" and then click on "Next".

5. Choose "Outlook Data File (.pst)" as the file type and select the emails folder that you want to export. You can also choose to include the subfolders.

6. Choose a location on your computer where you want to save the file and enter a name for the file.

7. Click on "Finish" to export the emails to the file.

Here are some limitations of the export feature that you need to understand:

🚩With Outlook, you can only back up one folder at a time from your IMAP account, making the process slow and repetitive.
🚩Emails can only be saved in PST format, and other email clients don’t offer different formats. The procedure can be complicated and time-consuming for many users.
🚩For these reasons, I suggest using an automated solution that's easier and more efficient for most people.
🚩For all the reasons mentioned above, I recommend you choose an automated solution that suits most people.

Method 2: Backup IMAP Mailbox in Outlook Using a Third-Party Backup Software

For a more complete backup solution for your IMAP emails in Outlook 365, consider using a third-party tool like AOMEI Backupper Professional. This software allows you to back up emails, contacts, calendars, and other data from Outlook to a secure location. Here’s why it stands out:

⚡It backs up all your data, including emails, contacts, notes, calendars, and tasks from any email account in Outlook (Gmail, Hotmail, etc.).
⚡You can choose where to store the backups, such as backup Outlook emails to a thumb drive, Dropbox, external hard drive, or NAS device.
⚡Its Schedule Backup feature lets you set regular backup times, such as daily, weekly, or based on specific events.

To get started, please download this powerful Outlook email backup software. Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista are supported.

Step 1. Open Outlook and enter your IMAP email account details. Click Connect and follow the prompts to add your account and the emails you want to back up.

Step 2. Open the AOMEI Backupper app. On the main screen, click Backup and select Outlook Backup.

Step 3. Click Add Outlook Data and choose the IMAP emails you want to back up. Once selected, click OK.

Step 4. Pick a destination where you want to store your backup (local drive, external storage, etc.).

Step 5. Click Start Backup to begin. The backup process will start, and your emails will be saved. You can also adjust the backup settings as needed.

☛ Schedule Backup: Set automatic backup intervals (Daily, Weekly, Monthly). Be sure to check Wake the computer to run the scheduled task for a seamless backup process.

☛ Backup Scheme: Choose between a full backup, incremental backup, or differential backup based on your needs. Enable Automatic Backup Cleanup to remove old backups and prevent storage issues.

FAQ: How to Backup IMAP Email in Outlook

Q1: Can I back up only certain folders in my IMAP account?

A1: Yes, when exporting or backing up emails in Outlook, you can choose specific folders to back up instead of the entire mailbox. This allows you to preserve only the most critical emails.

Q2: Can I schedule automatic backups for IMAP emails in Outlook?

A2: Outlook does not have a built-in option for automatic backups, but third-party software like AOMEI Backupper can provide this feature. You can schedule automatic backups at specific intervals to keep your emails protected.

Q3: How do I back up attachments with IMAP emails in Outlook?

A3: When backing up IMAP emails using the methods outlined above, attachments will be included in the backup. If you're using AOMEI Backupper or another third-party tool, it will preserve both emails and attachments.

Conclusion

In this guide, you'll learn how to back up your IMAP emails in Outlook 365 to keep your data safe. Whether you use Outlook's built-in export feature or a third-party tool like AOMEI Backupper, you'll ensure your emails are always protected.

AOMEI Backupper not only backs up emails but also offers advanced features like Windows 11 backup and creates a bootable USB on Windows 11 from ISO.