Find & Change: Outlook Backup File Location

Where Is the Outlook Backup File Location?

A PST file is an Outlook data file that stores various items like emails, contacts, attachments, and calendar entries. When you sign in or add a POP3 email account (e.g., Gmail, Hotmail) in Outlook, it creates a PST file. By default, the file is stored in different locations depending on the versions of Outlook and Windows you are using. Unfortunately, there is no universal path to browse and find the Outlook backup PST file location.

However, you have the option to change or relocate the PST file to a different location on your system. This article will guide you on how to find the Outlook backup file location and change the default location.

How to Locate Outlook Backup File Location?

Finding the Microsoft Outlook backup files location is a straightforward process. However, it may vary slightly for users with older Windows versions like Windows 7, 8, or earlier builds of Windows 10 (e.g., version 1507).

To locate your Outlook file without navigating through the AppData local folder, follow these steps:

Step 1. Open Microsoft Outlook on your PC.

Step 2. Go to the File option in the Outlook menu.

Step 3. Click on Account Setting to access a drop-down menu.

Step 4. Click on Account Settings once again.

Step 5. Within the account settings, navigate to the Data Files tab.

Step 6. Check the location of your Outlook file and click on Open File Location...

Step 7. Verify the presence of the file in the opened folder.

Once you have located the Outlook PST file, you can effortlessly copy and paste it to a backup location of your preference. This file holds crucial data from your Outlook profile, so knowing its location ensures a smooth backup process. By finding the Outlook file location, you can conveniently safeguard all your important Outlook data.

Now you must be curious about how to change Outlook backup files location, read on!

How to Change Outlook Backup File Location

There are multiple methods available to change or relocate the Outlook PST file location. One common approach is to modify the file location through the Microsoft Outlook account settings.

Step 1. Launch Microsoft Outlook. Navigate to the Account Settings again.

Step 2. This time, remain in the E-mail tab. Locate the Change Folder option.

By following this method, you can ensure that the new Outlook PST file is saved in the location of your choice.

Why Need to Backup Outlook PST Files?

Outlook is a crucial tool for communication, particularly for work-related or personal email usage. However, it's important to recognize that Outlook data is susceptible to various risks, such as hardware failure, virus attacks, accidental deletion, or system crashes. To mitigate these risks and safeguard your valuable data, regular backup of Outlook PST files is essential.

The Outlook PST file contains all vital Outlook data, including emails, contacts, calendar entries, and tasks. Here are a few reasons why backing up your Outlook PST files is crucial:

• Data loss protection: The primary purpose of backing up your Outlook PST files is to safeguard against data loss. If an unforeseen event, like a hard drive failure, occurs, you could potentially lose all your data, including emails, contacts, and calendar items. By backing up your PST files, you can easily recover this data and avoid significant loss.
• Time and effort savings: Losing your Outlook data can be an incredibly frustrating experience, particularly if you've spent substantial time organizing your emails, contacts, and other information. By regularly backing up your PST files, you can save valuable time and effort that would otherwise be spent trying to recover lost data.
• Data security assurance: Backing up your Outlook PST files also ensures the security of your data. You can store the backup files on external hard drives, cloud storage, or other secure locations, thereby preventing unauthorized access to your valuable information.

Backup Your Outlook Data for Foolproof Protection

Therefore, you need to take a backup of your Outlook data for various reasons. To ensure quick restoration in case of accidental Outlook issues, use reliable backup software like AOMEI Backupper Professional.

★It offers an Outlook backup function that covers not only emails but also attachments, calendars, contacts, and more.
★You can back up Outlook data to various locations such as internal/external disks, USB drives, NAS devices, SD cards, cloud services, and network locations.
★Schedule backups can be set up based on your preferences, including daily, weekly, monthly, or event triggers tasks.
★This versatile software is compatible with multiple Windows PC operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista.

Download and install AOMEI Backupper Professional to easily back up your Outlook data. For Windows Server users, consider the AOMEI Backupper Server version.

Step 1. Open Outlook and enter your email address. Click on Connect and follow the on-screen instructions to add your Outlook account.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Backupper Professional. Within the main interface, click on Backup and then select Outlook Backup.

Step 3. Click on Add Outlook data and choose the specific Outlook folder that you wish to back up. Once selected, click OK.

Step 4. Click on the checkbox below to choose the backup destination. You can select a local path, a network or NAS location, or even a cloud drive to securely store your Outlook emails.

Step 5. Simply click on Start Backup to initiate the automatic backup process for Outlook.

Notes:
▶For scheduling backups: Set the desired backup frequency, such as Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and event triggers or USB plug in Ensure that the option Wake the computer to run scheduled task is selected.
▶Regarding the Backup Scheme: Enable the Automatic Backup Cleanup feature to regularly delete old backups. This feature effectively addresses storage space concerns.

Your Turn

This article explains how to locate and change Outlook backup file location and recommends you to use professional Outlook backup software for backup. In conclusion, backing up PST files in Outlook is crucial for maintaining the safety and security of your email data.

We highly recommend utilizing the Outlook Backup function provided by AOMEI Backupper. This feature offers a comprehensive and dependable backup solution for your Outlook data. By implementing regular backups, you can have peace of mind and be prepared to swiftly recover your data in the event of any unforeseen circumstances.