How To: Restore Outlook Data from a Backup File

Previously I told you how to back up your Outlook email. Now, by popular demand, here's how to restore data from an Outlook backup file.

The process is very similar to the backup procedure. Launch Outlook, and click on Personal Folders in the left-hand pane. Then select File > Import and Export. "Import from another program or file" should already be selected. Click Next and scroll down to Personal Folder File (.pst), which is the format you should have saved your backup file in.

The next dialog will ask you to locate the backup file. Find it, then click Next again.

Now you have a choice. If you just want to restore one folder, you can select that folder in the "Select the folder to import from:" box (pictured). If you want to restore everything, click Personal Folders and make sure "Include subfolders" has a check mark next to it. Leave all the other settings the same, and click Finish. Your restore operation is now underway!

I've left out some of the detailed settings about whether to replace existing files (the defaults are usually fine for all of this): I'm assuming that if you're restoring data you are starting with a blank slate here. If you have any problems, just drop me a line!