Technology

Windows: Backing up Address Book

Webmail

No backup necessary: your address book is already on the server.

Netscape

Windows XP: Netscape 7
  1. In the Netscape 7.0 Address Book, highlight your address book within the Address Book window.
  2. Click on Tools.
  3. Select Export.
  4. Select the location where you want to save the LDIF file. If you are on campus, save it directly to the file server. Otherwise, remember the location where you save the file, and copy it to a backup storage device when you are finished.
  5. Enter a name for the backup file.
  6. Click the Save button
If something happens to the "active" version of your address book, you can restore your last backup by going to Tools, selecting Import, and locating the LDIF file you saved above.

If you are curious where Netscape stores your address book, here it is: C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\username\randomchars\
Note: if you cannot see the Application Data folder, click on Tools — Options — Show Hidden Files and Folders.

Outlook

  1. From the File menu, click Import And Export
  2. Click Export To File, and then Next
  3. In the window that says "Create a file of type," click Personal Folder File (.pst), and then Next
  4. In "Select the folder to export from," click the folder you want to export. To select just your address book, click the plus sign (+) next to "Personal Folders," and click Contacts
    [To create a backup of all the information you store in Outlook, see the instructions for backing up your email.]
  5. Click Next.
  6. In "Save exported file as," click Browse to select the location where you want to store the .pst file, and give the .pst file a name (perhaps incorporating today's date). If you are on campus, select a location on the file server; otherwise, remember the location where you save the file, and copy it to a backup storage device when you are finished.
  7. Click Finish.
If something happens to the "active" version of your address book, you can restore your last backup by going to Import and Export, and locating the .pst file you saved above.

If you are curious where Outlook stores your address book and other Outlook data, here it is: C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\. Note: If you cannot see the Application Data folder, click on Tools — Options — Show Hidden Files and Folders.

For more information about backing up and restoring data using Outlook, search the Microsoft Knowledgebase.

    Outlook Express

    1. Double-click on "My Computer"
    2. Browse to C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Microsoft\Address Book
      Note: if you cannot see the Application Data folder:
      1. From the Tools menu, choose Folder Options
      2. Select the View tab
      3. Under "Hidden files and folders" select Show hidden files and folders
      4. Uncheck the Hide protected operating systems file (recommended) option
      5. Click Yes to confirm
      6. Click OK
    3. Copy all .wab file to a backup location, i.e., Y:\ username\Documents

    Thunderbird

    1. Open Thunderbird
    2. Click the Address Book icon
    3. From the Tools menu, choose Export
    4. If you are on campus, navigate in the save box to your file server folder Y:\ username\Documents Or, save your backup to any other storage media.

     

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