This guide explains how to locate a Microsoft Outlook PST or OST file and create a GoodSync Backup Job for it.
IMPORTANT: GoodSync for Windows is supported on Windows 10 or later and Windows Server 2016 or later. Windows versions earlier than Windows 10 and Windows Server versions earlier than Windows Server 2016 are no longer supported.
If you have not already installed GoodSync, download the latest supported version from the GoodSync Download page.
Locate your PST or OST file
The exact location of an Outlook data file may vary based on the Outlook version, account type, and how the file was created. In classic Outlook, you can confirm its location by selecting File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files, selecting the required file, and clicking Open File Location.
You can also open File Explorer and check the common locations below. Replace <UserName> with the Windows account name.
| Data file | Supported Windows versions | PST/OST file location |
| PST | Windows 10 or later Windows Server 2016 or later |
C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\Outlook Files |
| PST or archive PST | Windows 10 or later Windows Server 2016 or later |
C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook |
| OST | Windows 10 or later Windows Server 2016 or later |
C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook |
NOTE: The AppData folder is hidden by default. If it is not visible in File Explorer, enable View > Show > Hidden items.
According to Microsoft's Outlook data-file guidance, an OST file is a local synchronized copy of mailbox data stored on the mail server. In most cases, an OST file can be recreated by adding the account to Outlook again. A PST file should be prioritized when it contains locally stored or archived Outlook data that is not available elsewhere.
Set up a backup job
Once you have located the PST or OST file, you can create a GoodSync Job to back it up to any location of your choosing. In this example, we will be backing up an OST file to Google Drive.
1) Open GoodSync and click New Job in the toolbar. You can also select Job > New.
2) In the "New GoodSync Job" prompt, enter the name of your new Job. Then, select "Backup" as your Job type.
Click the "OK" button when done.
3) Click the Left or Right sync folder controls to view the files and folders available for selection.
4) On the left side of the Job, select My Computer > Local and locate the Outlook folder on your system. On the right side, select Google Drive and either choose an existing folder or create a new one within your Google Drive storage to serve as the backup destination.
Once done, click the "Multiple Folders/Files" button in the upper-right corner.
5) In the "Multiple Folders/Files" mode, ensure that the box for "Show Files and Links" in the upper right corner is checked to display files within the selected sync folders. Then, on the Left side, uncheck the box for the Outlook folder to include only the desired files in the Job and check the box for your PST or OST file to include it.
Finally, click the green "Apply" button to apply the changes.
6) Next, click the "Options" button in the toolbar or right-click your backup Job and select "Options" from the context menu to access the Job Options. In the Job Options window, go to the General tab and enable Copy locked files using VSS snapshots. This setting ensures that your PST or OST file is backed up even if the Outlook application is running.
Click on the "Save" button to save the changes.
7) Now that your backup Job is configured, click the "Analyze" button followed by the "Sync" button to initiate the backup of your Outlook PST or OST file with Google Drive.
FAQ
Q: Why am I getting the "The process cannot access the file because another process has locked a portion of the file" error while backing up a PST file?
A: Ensure you have turned on the "Copy locked files using VSS snapshots" option in Job > Options > General. Note that this feature has several limitations:
- It can only copy from a locked file but not to a locked file.
- It can only copy from a file on a local drive, not from a file on the network.
The best practice is to close Outlook before executing your Job.
Q: Can I synchronize my Outlook contacts and calendars?
A: No. GoodSync is capable of synchronizing or backing up the complete Outlook PST file but not individual emails, contacts, or calendars within it.
Q: Can GoodSync back up data used by the new Outlook for Windows?
A: GoodSync can back up a local PST file that is stored on the computer. However, PST support in the new Outlook differs from classic Outlook, and some Outlook data may remain stored in the online mailbox instead of a local PST file. Confirm that the required data is present in the selected PST file before relying on it as a backup. GoodSync does not back up individual emails, contacts, or calendars directly from within Outlook.