Step-by-Step Guide to Backing Up Outlook.com Data

Looking for a hassle-free way to save your Outlook.com emails? SysTools Outlook.com Backup makes it simple

Outlook.com Backup Process for Windows

STEP 1

Launch the software from the installed location or Go to Start » All Programs » SysTools Outlook.com Backup.

user interface

STEP 2

You can use Demo version and can export 100 emails for free. But if you want to activate the full version of the software then, click on Activate tab and proceed with tool activation. Activation Steps

STEP 3

Now, choose preferred Email format to backup the Outlook.com user account data:

formats

STEP 4

Select Outlook.com as the source and File System (EML) as the backup format.

eml

Choose the data category to back up.

workload

You can backup selective data type also, i.e. Email.

email

Contacts

contact

Calendar

calendar

Document

documents

STEP 5

Use the date filter to export data from a particular period, if needed.

date-filter

The “Delete Email, Contacts, etc.” feature lets you automatically remove selected mailbox items from the source account after backup to free up space and maintain data hygiene.

delete

STEP 6

Provide your Outlook.com/Hotmail email address, then click 'Sign in with Outlook.com'.

After signing in, follow the steps mentioned in the Grant User Consent instructions to review and approve the required permissions.

user consent

Once prompted, select 'Move to Permission Grant Page' to proceed.

Move to Permission Grant Page

Enter your Outlook.com or Hotmail password in the "Enter password" field.

Enter password

To complete the verification, open your Microsoft Authenticator app or Outlook. There, you will find a verification code. Enter that code in the 'Enter code' field as shown in the screenshot below.

Microsoft Authenticator

To allow our tool to access your Outlook.com data, please click ‘Accept’.

Accept

Now validate the permission and click ‘Next’ to continue.

Next

STEP 7

Click on the "Browse Folder Path" button to save emails at desired location.

Browse

STEP 8

The dropdown under "Naming Convention" lets you choose from several filename patterns. Examples include:

  • Subject
  • Subject_DD_MM_YYYY
  • From_Subject_YYYY_MM_DD
  • YYYY_MM_DD_From_Subject

Naming Convention

After validation, click ‘Next’ to proceed.

Next

STEP 9

Next, initiate data loading by selecting ‘Fetch Workload Folders’.

Fetch

STEP 10

Afterward, you will see a list of all your available Outlook.com folders categorized under Email

Select the folders you want to include in the backup by checking the corresponding boxes. By default, all email folders such as Inbox, Sent Items, Drafts, etc., are selected.

Email

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

Document

Document

STEP 11

Once you’ve made your selection, click the “Start Backup” button in the top-right corner to proceed.

For Incremental backup, make sure the backup machine should be same.

Start Backup

STEP 12

Press the Start button again to initiate the backup. The software will begin processing the selected folders and transfer the data to the specified destination.

Start

Click "OK"

ok

STEP 13

Upon successful completion of the backup process, the tool presents a detailed results summary, as illustrated in the image below.

eml-progress

Go to the backup destination and confirm that all files have been accurately copied. Check file counts, sizes, and open sample files to ensure data integrity.

result

STEP 14

To verify the backup, select the Download Report option. You will be presented with two types of reports:

download report

1. Backup Summary Report – Provides an overview of the backup status, including the number of items processed and any errors encountered.

Select the Backup Summary Report option, then choose the destination folder to save the report in CSV format.

Summary Report

Once the destination folder is selected, the Backup Summary Report is generated and displayed, as shown in the screenshot below.

backup location

2. Detailed Report – Offers a comprehensive log of each item backed up, along with timestamps and status indicators.

Detailed Report

After selecting the Detailed Report option, press the Download button to save the report as a ZIP file.

Download button

Choose the appropriate folder on your device to save the Detailed Report ZIP file.

save the detailed report

The saved Detailed Report ZIP file will appear in the selected location, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

target location

STEP 15

Upon completing a successful backup, you can leverage the following options to manage your backup tasks more effectively:

  • Retry Failed Items: Attempt to back up any files or folders that failed during the initial process.
  • Re-run Full Backup: Perform a complete backup of all selected data again.
  • Delta Backup: Back up only the changes made since the last backup, optimizing time and storage.
  • Delete Backed-up Items from Source: Remove the original files from the source location after confirming a successful backup, freeing up space.

re-run backup

These options provide flexibility to maintain and optimize your backup strategy.

STEP 16

If needed, you can import the resultant EML file into Mozilla Thunderbird for further review.

review

STEP 4

Once PST is selected as the output file format, proceed to the Workload Selection section and specify the data categories to be included in the export

Workload Selection

You can specifically choose the data category to export, such as Emails

emails

Document

Document

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

STEP 5

If needed, use the Date Filter to export data from a specific time period.

Date Filter

The “Delete Email, Contacts, etc.” feature lets you automatically remove selected mailbox items from the source account after backup to free up space and maintain data hygiene.

Delete after download

STEP 6

Enter your Hotmail or Outlook.com email address and select Sign in with Outlook.com.

After signing in, refer to the Grant User Consent instructions to review and allow the necessary permissions.

user consent

When prompted, proceed by selecting Move to Permission Grant Page.

Move to Permission Grant Page

Input your Hotmail or Outlook.com password in the Enter password field.

Enter password

Open your Microsoft Authenticator app or Outlook to retrieve the verification code, then enter it in the Enter code field.

Microsoft Authenticator app

On the permission request screen, select Accept to authorize access to your Outlook.com data.

Accept

Once validated, select Next to proceed.

Next

STEP 7

Use the Browse Folder Path option to choose your preferred location for saving the exported emails.

In the dropdown menu, select the desired PST file size (default is 40 GB).

Browse Folder Path

This value defines the maximum size for each PST file created.

  • For example, if you're backing up 11 GB of data and select a 10 GB PST size, the software will generate two PST files: one for 10 GB and another for the remaining 1 GB.
  • If the data size (e.g., 11 GB) is smaller than the selected partition size (20, 30, or 40 GB), only a single PST file will be created.
  • When dealing with larger data (e.g., 200 GB) and selecting a 40 GB partition size, the tool will automatically split the data into five separate 40 GB PST files (5 * 40 GB = 200 GB).

Verify the permissions, and once confirmed, click 'Next'.

Next

STEP 8

Next, initiate data loading by selecting Fetch Workload Folders.

Fetch Workload Folders

Once the folders are loaded, you’ll see a list of your Outlook.com email folders. Select the email folders you want to back up by checking the boxes next to them.

By default, common email folders like Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts are already selected.

email folders

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

Document

Document

STEP 9

Once you've selected your email folders, choose Start Backup in the top-right to begin.

For incremental backups, ensure the same system is used as in the previous backup.

Start Backup

Select Start again to initiate the process. The tool will begin backing up the selected email folders to your specified location.

Start

When prompted, confirm the action by selecting OK.

OK

STEP 10

During the backup, real-time status updates are displayed for each selected email category. If required, you can cancel the operation at any stage using the Stop Backup button.

Stop Backup

STEP 11

Upon successful completion of the backup process, the tool presents a detailed results summary, as illustrated in the image below.

detailed results summary

Go to the backup destination and confirm that all files have been accurately copied. Check file counts, sizes, and open sample files to ensure data integrity.

file counts

STEP 12

To verify the backup, select the Download Report option. You will be presented with two types of reports:

Download Report

1. Backup Summary Report – Provides an overview of the backup status, including the number of items processed and any errors encountered.

Select the Backup Summary Report option, then choose the destination folder to save the report in CSV format.

Backup Summary Report

Once the destination folder is selected, the Backup Summary Report is generated and displayed, as shown in the screenshot below.

generated

2. Detailed Report – Offers a comprehensive log of each item backed up, along with timestamps and status indicators.

Detailed Report

After selecting the Detailed Report option, press the Download button to save the report as a ZIP file.

Download

The saved Detailed Report ZIP file will appear in the selected location, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

Detailed Report

STEP 13

Upon completing a successful backup, you can leverage the following options to manage your backup tasks more effectively:

  • Retry Failed Items: Attempt to back up any files or folders that failed during the initial process.
  • Re-run Full Backup: Perform a complete backup of all selected data again.
  • Delta Backup: Back up only the changes made since the last backup, optimizing time and storage.
  • Delete Backed-up Items from Source: Remove the original files from the source location after confirming a successful backup, freeing up space.

re-run backup

These options provide flexibility to maintain and optimize your backup strategy.

STEP 14

You can view PST File in MS Outlook application.

outlook

These options provide flexibility to maintain and optimize your backup strategy.

STEP 4

Select Outlook.com as the source platform and MBOX as the target format for the export process.

mbox

STEP 5

Once MBOX is selected as the output format, proceed to the Workload Selection section and select the Email option for export.

Workload Selection

STEP 6

If needed, use the Date Filter to export data from a specific time period.

Date Filter

The “Delete Email, Contacts, etc.” feature lets you automatically remove selected mailbox items from the source account after backup to free up space and maintain data hygiene.

delete after download

STEP 7

Enter your Hotmail or Outlook.com email address and select Sign in with Outlook.com.

Once you’ve signed in, visit the Grant User Consent instructions page to review and grant the required permissions.

user-consent

When prompted, proceed by selecting Move to Permission Grant Page.

Move to Permission Grant Page

Input your Hotmail or Outlook.com password in the Enter password field.

Enter password

Open your Microsoft Authenticator app or Outlook to retrieve the verification code, then enter it in the Enter code field.

Microsoft Authenticator app

On the permission request screen, select Accept to authorize access to your Outlook.com data.

Accept

Once validated select Next to proceed.

Next

STEP 8

Use the Browse Folder Path option to choose your preferred location for saving the exported emails.

Browse Folder Path

Verify the permissions, and once confirmed, click 'Next'.

click Next

STEP 9

Next, initiate data loading by selecting Fetch Workload Folders.

Fetch Workload Folders

STEP 10

Once the folders are loaded, you’ll see a list of your Outlook.com email folders. Select the email folders you want to back up by checking the boxes next to them.

By default, common email folders like Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts are already selected.

Inbox

STEP 11

Once you've selected your email folders, choose Start Backup in the top-right to begin.

Start Backup

Select Start again to initiate the process. The tool will begin backing up the selected email folders to your specified location.

Start

When prompted, confirm the action by selecting OK.

OK

During the backup, real-time status updates are displayed for each selected email category. If required, you can cancel the operation at any stage using the Stop Backup button.

Stop Backup

STEP 12

Upon successful completion of the backup process, the tool presents a detailed results summary, as illustrated in the image below.

detailed results

Go to the backup destination and confirm that all files have been accurately copied. Check file counts, sizes, and open sample files to ensure data integrity.

backup location

STEP 13

To verify the backup, select the Download Report option. You will be presented with two types of reports:

Download Report

1. Backup Summary Report – Provides an overview of the backup status, including the number of items processed and any errors encountered.

Select the Backup Summary Report option, then choose the destination folder to save the report in CSV format.

Backup Summary

Once the destination folder is selected, the Backup Summary Report is generated and displayed, as shown in the screenshot below.

destination folder

2. Detailed Report – Offers a comprehensive log of each item backed up, along with timestamps and status indicators.

Detailed Report

After selecting the Detailed Report option, press the Download button to save the report as a ZIP file.

save

The saved Detailed Report ZIP file will appear in the selected location, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

download Report ZIP

STEP 14

Upon completing a successful backup, you can leverage the following options to manage your backup tasks more effectively:

  • Retry Failed Items: Attempt to back up any files or folders that failed during the initial process.
  • Re-run Full Backup: Perform a complete backup of all selected data again.
  • Delta Backup: Back up only the changes made since the last backup, optimizing time and storage.
  • Delete Backed-up Items from Source: Remove the original files from the source location after confirming a successful backup, freeing up space.

re-run backup

STEP 14

Double Click to view MSG File with Outlook on your system

Outlook

STEP 4

Select Outlook.com as the source platform and PDF as the target format to initiate the export process.

pdf

STEP 5

Select the relevant data categories from the Workload Selection section based on what you want to include in the export.

Workload Selection

You can specifically choose the type of data to export, such as Emails

Emails

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

STEP 6

If needed, use the Date Filter to export data from a specific time period.

Date Filter

The “Delete Email, Contacts, etc.” feature lets you automatically remove selected mailbox items from the source account after backup to free up space and maintain data hygiene.

Delete after download

STEP 7

Enter your Hotmail or Outlook.com email address and select Sign in with Outlook.com.

After logging in, follow the steps outlined in the Grant User Consent instructions to complete the permission process.

Grant User Consent

When prompted, proceed by selecting Move to Permission Grant Page.

Move to Permission Grant

Input your Hotmail or Outlook.com password in the Enter password field.

Outlook.com password

Open your Microsoft Authenticator app or Outlook to retrieve the verification code, then enter it in the Enter code field.

Microsoft Authenticator app

On the permission request screen, select Accept to authorize access to your Outlook.com data.

Accept

Once validated select Next to proceed.

Next

STEP 8

Use the Browse Folder Path option to choose your preferred location for saving the exported emails.

Browse Folder Path

The dropdown under "Naming Convention" lets you choose from several filename patterns. Examples include:

  • Subject
  • Subject_DD_MM_YYYY
  • From_Subject_YYYY_MM_DD
  • YYYY_MM_DD_From_Subject

Naming Convention

This helps users organize and identify backed-up files based on: Email subject, Sender (From), Date (DD, MM, YYYY).

Verify the permissions, and once confirmed, click 'Next'.

click Next

STEP 9

Next, initiate data loading by selecting Fetch Workload Folders.

Fetch Workload Folders

Once the folders are loaded, you’ll see a list of your Outlook.com email folders. Select the email folders you want to back up by checking the boxes next to them.

By default, common email folders like Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts are already selected.

emails

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

STEP 10

Once you've selected your email folders, choose Start Backup in the top-right to begin.

Start Backup

Select Start again to initiate the process. The tool will begin backing up the selected email folders to your specified location.

Start

When prompted, confirm the action by selecting OK.

OK

During the backup, real-time status updates are displayed for each selected email category. If required, you can cancel the operation at any stage using the Stop Backup button.

Stop Backup

STEP 11

Upon successful completion of the backup process, the tool presents a detailed results summary, as illustrated in the image below.

result

Go to the backup destination and confirm that all files have been accurately copied. Check file counts, sizes, and open sample files to ensure data integrity.

destination

STEP 12

To verify the backup, select the Download Report option. You will be presented with two types of reports:

Download Report

1. Backup Summary Report – Provides an overview of the backup status, including the number of items processed and any errors encountered.

Select the Backup Summary Report option, then choose the destination folder to save the report in CSV format.

Backup Summary

Once the destination folder is selected, the Backup Summary Report is generated and displayed, as shown in the screenshot below.

Backup Summary report

2. Detailed Report – Offers a comprehensive log of each item backed up, along with timestamps and status indicators.

Detailed Report

After selecting the Detailed Report option, press the Download button to save the report as a ZIP file.

Download button

The saved Detailed Report ZIP file will appear in the selected location, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

Detailed Report ZIP

STEP 13

Upon completing a successful backup, you can leverage the following options to manage your backup tasks more effectively:

  • Retry Failed Items: Attempt to back up any files or folders that failed during the initial process.
  • Re-run Full Backup: Perform a complete backup of all selected data again.
  • Delta Backup: Back up only the changes made since the last backup, optimizing time and storage.
  • Delete Backed-up Items from Source: Remove the original files from the source location after confirming a successful backup, freeing up space.

re-run backup

STEP 4

Select Outlook.com as the source platform and MSG as the target format to initiate the export process.

msg

STEP 5

Select the relevant data categories from the Workload Selection section based on what you want to include in the export.

Workload Selection

You can specifically choose the type of data to export, such as Emails

Emails

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

STEP 6

If needed, use the Date Filter to export data from a specific time period.

Date Filter

The “Delete Email, Contacts, etc.” feature lets you automatically remove selected mailbox items from the source account after backup to free up space and maintain data hygiene.

delete after download

STEP 7

Enter your Hotmail or Outlook.com email address and select Sign in with Outlook.com.

After logging in, follow the steps outlined in the Grant User Consent instructions to complete the permission process.

Grant User Consent

When prompted, proceed by selecting Move to Permission Grant Page.

Permission Grant Page

Input your Hotmail or Outlook.com password in the Enter password field.

Enter password

Open your Microsoft Authenticator app or Outlook to retrieve the verification code, then enter it in the Enter code field.

Microsoft Authenticator app

On the permission request screen, select Accept to authorize access to your Outlook.com data.

Accept

Once validated select Next to proceed.

Next

STEP 8

Use the Browse Folder Path option to choose your preferred location for saving the exported emails.

Browse Folder Path

The dropdown under "Naming Convention" lets you choose from several filename patterns. Examples include:

Naming Convention

This helps users organize and identify backed-up files based on: Email subject, Sender (From), Date (DD, MM, YYYY).

Verify the permissions, and once confirmed, click 'Next'.

click Next

STEP 9

Next, initiate data loading by selecting Fetch Workload Folders.

Fetch Workload Folders

Once the folders are loaded, you’ll see a list of your Outlook.com email folders. Select the email folders you want to back up by checking the boxes next to them.

By default, common email folders like Inbox, Sent Items, and Drafts are already selected.

emails

Contact

Contact

Calendar

Calendar

STEP 10

Once you've selected your email folders, choose Start Backup in the top-right to begin.

Start Backup

Select Start again to initiate the process. The tool will begin backing up the selected email folders to your specified location.

Start

When prompted, confirm the action by selecting OK.

OK

During the backup, real-time status updates are displayed for each selected email category. If required, you can cancel the operation at any stage using the Stop Backup button.

Stop Backup

STEP 11

Upon successful completion of the backup process, the tool presents a detailed results summary, as illustrated in the image below.

detailed result

Go to the backup destination and confirm that all files have been accurately copied. Check file counts, sizes, and open sample files to ensure data integrity.

backup destination

Open any folder to check the content.

folder

STEP 12

To verify the backup, select the Download Report option. You will be presented with two types of reports:

Download Report

1. Backup Summary Report – Provides an overview of the backup status, including the number of items processed and any errors encountered.

Select the Backup Summary Report option, then choose the destination folder to save the report in CSV format.

backup summary

Once the destination folder is selected, the Backup Summary Report is generated and displayed, as shown in the screenshot below.

backup report

2. Detailed Report – Offers a comprehensive log of each item backed up, along with timestamps and status indicators.

Detailed Report

After selecting the Detailed Report option, press the Download button to save the report as a ZIP file.

Download button

The saved Detailed Report ZIP file will appear in the selected location, as illustrated in the screenshot below.

Report ZIP file

STEP 13

Upon completing a successful backup, you can leverage the following options to manage your backup tasks more effectively:

re-run backup

Free Download Outlook.com Backup Software Download Now