How to backup Outlook (pst files) while in use?

[L-I-B]

At work I share the outlook pst folder over the network so I can copy the files over the network to backup. Problem is most users leave their outlook open and the pst files cant' be copied while in use. What do you guys do about this?

[chmsant]

use microsoft's backup utility to make a backup of the file. It has a "cloning" type ability and can copy files that are in use. Then once that is complete, restore the backup to a different location and you have yourself a nice copy of the file

[L-I-B]

where can i find this backup utility?

[chmsant]

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup (Windows XP)

Should be in a similar location for prior MS Operating Systems

[L-I-B]

hmm...if I run this, I'm already at the workstation and might as well just close outlook and run the backup job on my comp.

[+BudMan MVC]

  L-I-B said:

where can i find this backup utility?

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How about by using the products documentation / help features - a quick search for the term "backup" in outlook help produces this;

Using the Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders Backup tool

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistan...0875321033.aspx

[chmsant]

Not exactly sure what you mean. Are you saying that in order to run this utility you have to be at every single workstation to make the backup?

This utility will run over a network. You stated earlier that all the PST files are stored in a central location. Am I missing something lol

[chmsant]

  BudMan said:

How about by using the products documentation / help features - a quick search for the term "backup" in outlook help produces this;

Using the Microsoft Outlook Personal Folders Backup tool

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistan...0875321033.aspx

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I think he is looking for a solution that would work to backup PSTs that arent necessairilyl linked to his outlook profile. They belong to other users on his network is what I am getting from above...

[L-I-B]

lol, I'm saying that I share every single workstations pst folder. Then when the backup job runs, it says can't copy file because it's in use(outook open). So if I use your backup utility and run around to every workstation to run the utility...I might as well just close outlook and go back to my comp, and re-run the backup job.

[chmsant]

  L-I-B said:

lol, I'm saying that I share every single workstations pst folder. Then when the backup job runs, it says can't copy file because it's in use(outook open). So if I use your backup utility and run around to every workstation to run the utility...I might as well just close outlook and go back to my comp, and re-run the backup job.

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Again the app that I suggested will run over a network or whatever you have setup and you can run it from a single machine. If you can browse to the .pst files in windows explorer from your main computer, then the utility can back them up. No need to run around

[L-I-B]

Oh, rad thanks. I also am liking the program budman suggested. I just hope the users are smart enough to click yes, to have it backup when I set it up on their machines. Thanks guys