Scheduled backup of imap account

[Vincenzo]

Is there a way to have regular scheduled backup of an imap account emails made to a local drive? Outlook 2016

Thanks

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Not within outlook's default settings. You need to use a macro or 3rd party backup program. I have a macro to backup the calendar, contacts, tasks folders. It could be tweaked to do all folders or to do specific folders.

Backup Calendar, Contacts, Tasks in an IMAP data file

Use a macro to copy appointments, contacts, tasks, and notes to a *.pst file before removing an IMAP account from Outlook 2013.

www.slipstick.com

If you don't think you'll ever need it, you can copy the imap ost files - you need to use a commercial program to open them on another computer or in a different profile though. It's quick, easy, and can be done with any backup program or a startup script. You can open an ost using the profile that created the ost only though.

 

[Vincenzo]

Thanks for the info.

I only want to back up the .ost file in case of lost emails or account corruption. (I have already separated out the Contacts and Calendar into a .pst as you have previously recommended.)

If I use a 3rd party backup program (I like SyncBackSE), does Outlook 2016 on Win 10 need to be closed for the backup to work?

Thanks

 

[Diane Poremsky]

I'm not familiar with that backup software, but in most cases, yes, outlook should be closed. Some were designed to do incremental backups and properly work with Outlook but many do not.

 

[Vincenzo]

SyncBack uses Windows' Volume Shadow Copy feature that allows it to backup open files like Word or Excel, but I don't know if Outlook would allow that. I'll check with their support people and report back here.

 

[Diane Poremsky]

Carbonite can back up open data files, so it is possible - the big thing is the files are in a folder that is not normally included in a bacup, so you need to add that path. I would also recommend testing the backup to see if it opening in outlook. Replace the current ost file with a backup copy, disconnect from the internet and start outlook (or set outlook offline before you close it).

 

[Vincenzo]

OK I'll give that a try.

Thanks

 

[Markdc]

Hi,
for this you need a third party backup facility. Outlook does not provide any such option.