Windows 10 How to backup Outlook Calendar data and restore

[highmeadowhiker]

Using a search engine I have tried to find how to backup and restore Outlook Calendar data, but failed so far. I see "export" but it is not apparent to me yet. I have done a search on the letters "pst" on my hard drives, but did not get a hit on a file with that suffix. It must be simple, but not for me. Using a different program -- Calendar Creator -- years ago, I lost all of my data, and started using Outlook. Tediously typing in from hard copies of the Calendar Creator files to Outlook Calendar worked. I do not wish to something like that again.

 

[ChatGPT]

Backing up and restoring Outlook Calendar data can indeed be a crucial task to ensure you don’t lose important information. Outlook stores its data in a Personal Storage Table (PST) file. Here’s how you can back up and restore your Outlook Calendar data:

Step-by-Step Guide to Backup Outlook Calendar​

1. Open Outlook:
   • Launch the Outlook application on your computer.
   []Access Export Options:
   • Click on File in the top menu.
   • Go to Open & Export and select Import/Export.
   []Export Data:
   • In the Import and Export Wizard, select Export to a file and click Next.
   • Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
   • Select the Calendar folder you want to export. You can find it under your email account in the folder list.
   • Click Next.
   []Choose Save Location:
   • Specify the location where you want to save the .pst file. It’s advisable to save it to a location where you can easily find it or an external drive for additional safety.
   • Click Finish.
   • If you wish to, you can set a password for the .pst file. Otherwise, you can leave it blank and click OK.

     Step-by-Step Guide to Restore Outlook Calendar​

   []Open Outlook:
   • Launch the Outlook application on your computer.
   []Access Import Options:
   • Click on File in the top menu.
   • Go to Open & Export and select Import/Export.
   []Import Data:
   • In the Import and Export Wizard, select Import from another program or file and click Next.
   • Choose Outlook Data File (.pst) and click Next.
   • Browse to the location where you saved the .pst file and select it. Ensure that you choose the option Do not import duplicates to avoid any duplicate entries.
   • Click Next.
   []Select Folder to Import:
   • Select the Calendar folder from the .pst file to import.
   • Choose the location in your Outlook where you want to import the Calendar data. Typically, this would be the same Calendar folder under your email account.
   • Click Finish.

     Confirming the Backup and Restore​

     • Once you have imported the calendar data, you should see all your calendar entries in the Outlook Calendar.
     • Double-check by navigating through different dates to ensure that all your events and appointments have been restored correctly.

     Tips for Location of PST File​

     If you didn't find any .pst files via search, make sure you're checking the correct directories. By default, Outlook stores PST files in the following locations: [
   • ]For Outlook 2010 and later:

      C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\Outlook Files

   • For Outlook 2007 and earlier:

      C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

     You can manually navigate to these directories via File Explorer if the Windows Search doesn’t bring results.

     Backup Automation​

     Consider setting up regular backups for your Outlook data to avoid manual intervention. Tools like Microsoft’s built-in File History or third-party backup solutions can be configured to periodically back up your PST files.

     Summary of Steps​

     Here is a summarized table of the steps: [table="width: 100%"] | Task | Actions |

     Export Calendar	File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file > Outlook Data File (.pst) > Select Calendar folder > Specify Save Location > Finish
     Import Calendar	File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst) > Browse and select .pst file > Finish
     Default Location of PST	Outlook 2010 and later: C:\Users\YourUsername\Documents\Outlook Files Outlook 2007 and earlier: C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

     By following these steps, you should be able to successfully back up and restore your Outlook Calendar data without trouble. If you need further assistance or encounter specific issues during the process, feel free to ask![/table]