Outlook 2003 for Windows: Backing Up IMAP Mailboxes

Overview

All mailboxes stored on the mail servers are backed up regularly in case of catastrophic server failure. Solution Stars does not provide a service for restoring email that you delete from the server intentionally or by accident. Mail lost due to server/system failure will be restored. Mail lost through user error/deletion will not. You should regularly backup any email messages you do not want to lose.

Backing Up Your IMAP Mailboxes

To back up your Inbox located on the IMAP server to your local machine using Microsoft Outlook 2003:

1. First create a local folder that corresponds to the IMAP folder you wish to back up. From the menu bar, click on File > New > Folder.
   
   
   
   Result: Create New Folder window opens.
   
   
2. Enter the name you wish to call the folder in the Name: field and select Personal Folders under Select where to place the folder: and click OK.
   
   
   
   Result: Your new folder is created.
   
   
3. Your IMAP folders are located under your mail server name. Click on the IMAP folder folder called Inbox.
   Result: The mail messages within Inbox are displayed to the left.
   
   
4. From the menu bar, click on Edit and select Select All.
   Result: All messages within Inbox are selected.
   
   
   
   Result: Copy Items window opens.
   
   
   
   
5. Click on the folder you created under Personal Folders in step 2 and click OK.
   Result: Contents of Inbox are copied to your local folder. 
   
   
   

Warning: These instructions will only back up messages contained in your Inbox. You will need to repeat these steps for all IMAP folders you wish to back up.