Save a copy of your local mail on CD or DVD as backup

You must have a CD or DVD Writer in your computer. Be sure to keep the CD or DVD in a safe locked location.

Step 1 (Identifying Outlook Profile location on your computer)

Open Outlook and click on File in the menu bar. Select Data Management.

Click on Data Files

Select the name of your Outlook account and click on Settings.

Look at the filename section to determine where your Outlook profile is stored.

C:\Documents and Settings\Your name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\

Your name is the username used to logon to the computer.

Step 2 (Copying Outlook Profile)
Insert a blank writeable CD or DVD into your computer.

Option 1
Open Windows Explorer.

Open C:\Documents and Settings\Your name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\.

Select the Outlook folder. Right click and select Copy.

Select your CD or DVD drive and right click. Select Paste.

After the files are copied, right click again on CD or DVD drive and select Write these Files.

Option 2
Open C:\Documents and Settings\Your name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\.

Select the Outlook folder and right click.

Select Send To and then select your CD or DVD drive.

Be sure to keep the CD or DVD in a safe locked location.