Windows Vista Backup - Windows Mail Backup

As mentioned in other posts, I had problems with the Windows Mail message store and at one time lost all my messages (although I was able to restore them - read more here if you are interested). If you read the posts, you'll find out that many Windows Mail problems are attributed to Virus Scanners, and Microsoft recommends to turn of mail scanning, while at the same time acknowledging that doing this will create a security risk. Well, I didn't want to use other mail software for various reasons, I didn't want to turn of mail scanning, and I don't trust the integrity of Windows Mail anymore - so I hunted around for ways to back up Windows Mail.

I soon found out that Windows Mail can be backed up manually, but this involves a number of steps. I know I would do this maybe once or twice but eventually would always end up doing it tomorrow - and we all know that tomorrow never comes. So, I started to look for ready made backup solutions and as I keep hunting for them I'll post the results below.

Click here for an article in which the Pros and Cons of Emails Scanning are discussed
Click here for an article that reports the increase of Spam and embedded Malware



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2008 12:32PM by m8ty.

I have found a few websites which show how to manually backup and restore windows mail - here are the links:

How to Backup and Restore Messages in Windows Mail (Vista Forums)

How to backup your email accounts and Windows Mail settings
(you will have to scroll down the page a little to see this article!)

Back Up or Copy Your Windows Mail or Outlook Express Mail Rules (about.com)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/03/2008 11:37AM by m8ty.

I (obviously) was looking for free backup solutions but didn't find any but I will keep looking. The first commercial package I tried was 'Windows Mail Backup' by StaticBackup Inc. Using 'Windows Mail Backup' is a breeze. You are presented with a starting screen where you have the option to back up the following:

- Your Internet Explorer Settings
- Your Favourite list
- The 'My Documents' folder
- Your Windows Mail Settings
- Your Windows Mail Accounts
- Your Email message
- Your Contacts

You just check the items you want to back up and select the 'Backup' tab at the top. Your then can set some packup preferences such as Location, Compression, Password prodection, and you have the option to upload your backup to an ftp server or to burn it to CD or DVD. Click the 'Start Backup' button and 'Windows Mail Backup' starts it's work, showing you a clear status bar. Inlcuded in the program is also a scheduler for automated backups. What you do not get with this program is the option to select additional files or folders on your PC to back up. If you only need to back up what is included in the above options, then you can not go wrong with Static Inc's Windows Mail Backup, really easy to set up and use, and fast in operation. You can click here to download a trial version which works for 20 days.

Correction:
You DO have the option to add additioanl folders to the backup - it just was not obvious from the folder selection screen (I expected a button saying 'add folder' or something like it) - you have to open the File menu and can add folders to the selection list from withing there!)

Re-searching the disappearing folders problem for Windows Mail I realised that both Outlook and Outlook Express can have the same problem. Static Inc also offers backup solutions for these and a number of other email clients - click on the name below to download the trial version: Outook | Outlook Express | Becky | Eudora | IncrediMail | Thunderbird | Windows Live Mail |
or click here for the Home Page of Static Inc for more information on the Company and the backup products.



Edited 8 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2008 12:37PM by m8ty.

Handy Backup is the second program I've tried. While the above program immediately showed a clear, uncluttered and easy to use interface with pre-selected options, Handy Backup, while by no means confusing or unclear, does take a little more to get you started. There is no pre-configured backup set and your first job is to click onto the 'File' menu and select 'New Task' to create one.

On the second screen you have to decide if this new task is a backup task, a restore task or a synchronise task. If you select 'backup task' you are then presented with an empty window to which you can add objects to be backed up, by clicking on th 'Add' button. When you do this it becomes immediately obvious that Handy Backup is quite a powerful and convenient backup utility. Along with Files, Folders and FTP locations you can also select to back up the following:

- ICQ Files
- the Windows Registry
- Windows Favorites
- the Desktop
- the My Documents folder
- Data Sources which refer to an ODBC Driver
- you can create a full Disk Image
- Email Messages
- MS Exchange
- MS SQL
- Outlook

Within the 'Outlook' selection you have the option to back up either MS Outlook, Windows Mail or both.

Once you have made your selection, you can then specify if you want to back up all files or only the changes since the last backup. You can also specify where to backup to, a local hard drive (which can also be a USB or network drive), upload the backup to an FTP or SFTP server, burn the image onto CD, DVD or Blueray disks, or use and online backup service. Then you have the option to compress and/or encrypt your backup, after this the program goes happily to work.

Like 'Windows Mail Backup', Handy Backup is quite easy to use although it has a few more configuration options than the previous program. It offers more backup options at a slightly higher price. Which program you would use really depends on your needs. If the options presented by 'Windows Mail Backup' are sufficient for you, then stick with it - it is very easy and straightforward to use, and I believe in keeping things as simple as possible. If, however, you can make use of the additional facilities offered by Handy Backup then you are getting a powerful backup solution for a still small price ($39.00).



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2008 04:01PM by m8ty.