NOTE: If you haven't already, download and install GoodSync.
Locate your PST or OST file
To locate the PST or OST file in your system, navigate to the location according to the table below in Windows Explorer and confirm the file is there.
| Outlook version | Windows version | PST/OST file location |
| 2000, 2003, 2007 | XP | C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Local Settings\Application Data\ Microsoft Outlook |
| 2007 | Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 | C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook |
| 2010 | XP | C:\Users\<UserName>\My Documents\Outlook Files |
| 2010 | Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 | C:\Users\<UserName>\Documents\Outlook Files |
| 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 | Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11 | C:\Users\<UserName>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook |
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 the "New Job" button in the toolbar, or, in the "Job" menu, select "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 "Advanced" tab and check the box labeled "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" >> "Advanced." Note 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 I back up the new Outlook 2024?
A: No. The new Outlook for Windows does not support PST files.