A while ago, my husband and I upgraded from Vista to Windows 7.  I love a periodic fresh start and I was so excited to wipe all the clutter off my computer and start over!  (You don’t have to do this – most upgrades keep all your information and programs and just install the OS, but I really like starting all over so I can get rid of programs and files that I don’t use anymore.)

We saved the programs, and backed up the photos, music, videos, and documents.  I saved everything I could think of.

Obviously, when you’re doing a system backup, the last thing you want to lose is years’ worth of email, all your contact information (friend’s phone numbers and birthdays), or upcoming appointments for the next six months.  So I went to Outlook and did a “Backup” on all my accounts.

Big mistake. 

A “backup” is not the same thing as taking all that information out of Outlook, saving it in a nice package that can be opened later, and putting it in a secure (and totally different!) location.

No, a “backup” merely saves all your information right where it is already sitting.  The difference is that if you lost power suddenly, you would have your files.  But if you “uninstall” Outlook (as I did) and reinstall it later, all of those files are GONE.

I’m not a calendar-on-the-wall kind of gal.  I really like having my doctor’s phone number, address, and next appointment on Outlook.  When I get up in the morning, a little pop-up tells me what I need to do that day and all the information I need to do it.  If someone’s birthday is coming up, Outlook pops up and tells me a week in advance so I can send a card or present.  And when Christmas card season rolls around, I have everyone’s address at the ready, with links to their scanned photos and letters from the previous year.  (Okay, so that’s a little weird, but it really helps when I can’t remember my cousin’s oldest daughter’s name or where she’s going to school.) 

The point it, I deleted it all and had to make do with a file I had intelligently backed up several years ago.  I love you all, but to Outlook, you no longer exist.  I cried.  And laughed at myself.  And then cried some more.

Save yourself the trauma. 

If you have an upgrade in your future, or just want to make sure you’re covered,

download this tutorial and export your files the smart and easy way!