I want to backup only outlook.pst (in Win 7), but when I try to find it in the backup application, the directory--as well as all the system critical directories--are hidden. I figured out how to get the directories to display in Windows Explorer, but they do not show up in the backup application. Does anyone know how to make them visible in the backup app so I can backup this critical file? Thanks for your help!

If you are using a more recent version of Outlook than Outlook 2000,why not try Outlook 2007/2003/2002 Add-in: Personal Folders Backup if your Outlook data file is all you want to back up.

DominicP said: If you are using a more recent version of Outlook than Outlook 2000,why not try http://..... if your Outlook data file is all you want to back up. Hey, that's interesting, it won't install for me. Has anyone else tried it? I'm running Outlook 2007, and the download page clearly says it works with Outlook 2007, but when I run the installer it gives this error message: "Setup has detected that you do not have Outlook 2000, Outlook 2002 or Outlook 2003 installed on this machine. Before this download can be installed you must........ (etc)." Something is wrong here, obviously. Either the download page is wrong to claim O2007 support, or the above error message hasn't be updated to include O2007 (most likely). If the latter, then W7 must be preventing the installer from finding the O2007 installation. Would anyone else care to try it? Thack

When I click on the link you provided, DominicP, I receive a message that the link is not valid....

I have edited the post, which has become corrupted somehow - it worked for Thack.

I tried to install the utility (I found it) and I receive the same error, although I do have Office 2007 installed and functioning.

Yes, you are right. Windows Backup will not see the users hidden folderseven if you make symbolic or junction links. You have two methods (w/out any other downloads) in which to backup your outlook.pst filewhich is very, very important. Method 1: Don't use Windows Backup If you only want to backup your Outlook personal folder (.pst), then navigate to %AppData%\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook and manually copy the .pst file to a location of your choosing. Just make sure that Outlook is closed Method 2: Use Windows Backup Create a folder named OutlookPST (or whatever name you desire) within your documents folder. Move your .pst file to this new locationwhich, in my opinion, is better than the default, hidden location. Open up Outlook and configure it to use the new location as the default store. Close and reopen Outlook to make sure all is working. As an additional measure, with Outlook open, right click on your .pst file and select properties. Click on the advanced button in the lower-right corner. In the filename field, you should see the full path of your Outlook .pst filewhich should be in your new c:\users\%username%\Desktop\OutlookPST location. Now, you can select this folder from Windows backup since it is now a subfolder in your Documents folder.

Starting from Windows7 RC, Windows Backup will automatically include the AppData location for users in the default backup configuration. The AppData entry can be found under Additional Locations for each user on the machine in the wizard page that shows up when you choose "Let me choose" option for "what to backup". Outlook PST files will get included if you have chosen that location (Windows Recommended settings will automatically choose it for all the users on the machine).So "Method 1" suggested above will not be required.In case you have configured Outlook to save the PST files in a custom location, you need to make sure that the folder is included in backup (same as "Method 2").Thanks,Sriram [MSFT]