When we talk about keeping important email related data, then the most frequently asked question is: Does Outlook backup include attachments? Attachments can range from invoices and reports to key legal or business documents. It’s just as important to make sure they will be safe as it is to back up the email content itself.
In this post we’ll find out if the Outlook backup includes attachments, and also discuss why it is necessary to secure both the emails and attachments and how to back up your emails both manually and automatically.
Why It’s Important to Know
Before knowing whether attachments are part of the process of your Outlook backup. These are some of the reasons given below:
- The time your system crashes or loses your account. Then, you require not only emails but also your attachments.
- Attachments are taking up a big part of your mailbox. It’s useful to know what’s being backed up.
- They may have contracts, receipts, compliance type docs in the attachments.
- When you migrate or archive, you want to preserve the entire email context without losing attachments.
Does Outlook Backup Save Attachments?
Yes, Outlook Backups Include Attachments. When you back up your information with the PST file format, all emails and email attachments are stored in this file. PST files store:
- Emails
- Attachments embedded in emails
- Contacts
- Calendars
- Tasks and Notes
What I mean is if you’re exporting with the Outlook Export or copying the PST/OST files. Then yes, your attachments are getting backed up with your mailbox data.
Please Note: Whether you are using local PST files or not. Especially for POP3 or IMAP configured accounts. But when you have IMAP accounts, you may have to export manually. As, OST files are not in the state from which they can be restored.restored.
Backup Outlook with Attachments – Manual Methods
There are two methods to backup your Outlook emails with attachments. Follow them from below section:
1. Export to PST File
- First, open Outlook and click >>> File > Open & Export > Import/Export <<<
- Next, choose Export to a file > Next.
- Then, go to Outlook Data File (.pst) > Next.
- After that, choose which mailbox folders want to be exported.
- Be sure to check the include subfolders option.
- Select a destination and export it straight away.
This approach allows all the email and its attachments to be saved in a PST file.
2. Drag & Drop Emails to Local File System
You can drag multiple selected emails from Outlook to a local folder. Each email is saved as an .msg file with the message including any attachments.
Pros:
- Simple and selective
- Keeps Attachments embedded in MSG file
Cons:
- It’s all done manually which can take more time.
- Adds more complications and work to handle for your mailbox if its mail related concerns.
#3. Using Outlook VBA Script ( For Technical Users)
It is possible to extract attachments by scripting it in Outlook with Visual Basic for Applications. Here are the steps of doing this:
- You will need to press ALT + F11 while in Outlook to open the VBA editor.
- Insert new module and copy paste the code.
- Highlight some emails in Outlook. Then run the macro.
Pros:
- Handy to extract attachments from multiple emails.
- Semi automated approach for tech savvy users.
Cons:
- Dangerous if you don’t know how to script.
- May not keep the folder structure or advanced filters.
- Lead to unknown mishappening.
Extract Attachments in Bulk – Professional Solution
Manual ways like exporting to PST or saving individual emails can be time consuming particularly for thousands of emails and attachments. This is where SysTools Outlook attachment extractor comes with powerful features. As, it can save multiple attachments in bulk without the need of Outlook. Also, the tool can extract all your attachments if you have a PST, OST, and BAK file. It is very useful for those users who do not want entire emails.
For easy access, you can also download Outlook attachment extractor tool from Microsoft store.
Conclusion
As for the question, does Outlook backup save attachments? The answer is Yes, but not if backups are done correctly. Also, described various manual methods to do it like exports to a PST file. It’s also important to use the correct backup method depending on how your Outlook account is configured like POP, IMAP, or any other. But we suggest you to go with our professional tool as it gives you numerous benefits and saves lots of your time. At the end, attachments make up an important part of your emails and losing attachment data can mean valuable documents are lost.