Best Way to Handle PST File Backups
Running Outlook 2007 thru 2016 on Hosted Exchange server 2013. Quite a few staff members keep archived PST's for prior years. For example, in addition to current OST file, the boss has 13 additional PST files, from 2003 thru 2015 that she keeps available in Outlook for back referencing.
It used to be that these PST files were kept on the user's shared drive, aka, "U:\User\Jane. The whole point of keeping PST files on a shared drive was/is to ensure that files are backed up along with the rest of the server.
However as is well known, keeping PST files on a network drive is a no-no because of corruption issues, and indeed, 3 of the bosses PST files for 2003-2005 were corrupted.
Worse, it turns out that every time Outlook is started, the last modified date of a PST file is changed to the Outlook open date/time. So, first, every archive file had a LMD change every day, when the files became corrupted, far more than 10 versions of the file had been backed up (backup software looks at LMD to determine candidates for backup) because the LMD changed every day.
Now, I've got all the PST files on the local hard drives of each PC and I'm looking for a reliable way to copy them to the server when the contents do actually change (for example, and email is moved to an archive PST). I don't want to copy just because the LMD changes or I'll be copying gigabytes every day. I also have the issue that while some people faithfully close Outlook every night, others do not, so I have the secondary issue of copying open PST files. I'm not doing anything with OST files since they are backed up on the Exchange server.
What is the best approach and software to accomplish this task? I was contemplating using a scheduled task on the server that would compare file sizes from one night to the next and if the file size changed, then do a copy... but this involves keeping at least a simple historical record for each PST.
I'm open to reasonable expenditures on software that makes my problem go away.
TIA
It used to be that these PST files were kept on the user's shared drive, aka, "U:\User\Jane. The whole point of keeping PST files on a shared drive was/is to ensure that files are backed up along with the rest of the server.
However as is well known, keeping PST files on a network drive is a no-no because of corruption issues, and indeed, 3 of the bosses PST files for 2003-2005 were corrupted.
Worse, it turns out that every time Outlook is started, the last modified date of a PST file is changed to the Outlook open date/time. So, first, every archive file had a LMD change every day, when the files became corrupted, far more than 10 versions of the file had been backed up (backup software looks at LMD to determine candidates for backup) because the LMD changed every day.
Now, I've got all the PST files on the local hard drives of each PC and I'm looking for a reliable way to copy them to the server when the contents do actually change (for example, and email is moved to an archive PST). I don't want to copy just because the LMD changes or I'll be copying gigabytes every day. I also have the issue that while some people faithfully close Outlook every night, others do not, so I have the secondary issue of copying open PST files. I'm not doing anything with OST files since they are backed up on the Exchange server.
What is the best approach and software to accomplish this task? I was contemplating using a scheduled task on the server that would compare file sizes from one night to the next and if the file size changed, then do a copy... but this involves keeping at least a simple historical record for each PST.
I'm open to reasonable expenditures on software that makes my problem go away.
TIA
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Scott C
The suggestion I made costs you nothing.
ASKER
Thanks for the software solution links and other pointers. I need to review each before selecting a "best solution".
Cheers.
Cheers.
I recommend Codetwo Backup Software
ASKER
I recommend Codetwo Backup Software
@ Fouad, It does not appear that this software is designed to backup offline (local) PST files. Am I missing something?
Thanks.
ASKER
Thank you all... I think I will end up going with the addins, although I am going to have another look at safebackup
The add ins I suggested have been working years after I left the company where I implemented them.
The issue I can see with a backup solution is that if the work stations are turned off, then a backup won't happen.
Just be aware of that.
The issue I can see with a backup solution is that if the work stations are turned off, then a backup won't happen.
Just be aware of that.
ASKER
PC's are to remain on in our office so that won't be an issue.
ASKER
Thank you.