OutlookBackupPro ReviewHave you ever lost Outlook data because you didn't have a backup plan in place? It hurt, didn't it? Did you know that, unless you take specific steps, even if you do have a backup plan in place and working, your Outlook data probably isn't being backed up? So even if you do the right thing and back up your system regularly, you could still lose your Outlook data in a crash. This is where Outlook-specific backup programs like OutlookBackupPro come into their own. OutlookBackupPro, from Totalidea Software, is a backup program specifically designed for backing up Outlook data. This includes mail messages, contacts, notes, tasks, even custom files and folders. If your email and other Outlook data are important to you, you should keep reading to learn more about OutlookBackupPro. 
How OutlookBackupPro WorksBy default, OutlookBackupPro will backup all your standard Outlook files. That means not only your mail and contacts, but notes, signature files, stationary, templates, everything that Outlook uses. Conventional backup programs may or may not be able to backup all of these files, as Outlook has its own places to store things and formats to store them in.The method the program uses to create these backups varies. If your computer can support the system requirements (it must be running a 32-bit version of Windows 2003, Vista, or 2008, among other things), OutlookBackupPro uses its HotShadow technology. With HotShadow, all your Outlook data can be backed up while Outlook is running. Typically, Outlook data and files that are in use when a backup is being made aren't accessible to the backup program, meaning that the backups can be incomplete, or Outlook must be stopped in anticipation of being backed up. If your system doesn't meet the requirements for HotShadow, OutlookBackupPro can only back up your Outlook data when Outlook isn't running. It solves this problem by closing Outlook (sending the appropriate warnings to you, of course), doing the backup, then restarting Outlook. For this reason, it makes sense to schedule your backups for times when you aren't likely to be using the computer, such as early in the morning if you leave the computer on at all times, or at lunchtime. ProsThe primary benefits of OutlookBackupPro are its ability to backup all your Outlook data, and the way HotShadow can backup the data while Outlook is still running. Fortunately, the way it backs up all your Outlook data, and the way it automatically starts and stops Outlook to perform the backups makes this program valuable even without HotShadow.In addition to these primary benefits, OutlookBackupPro offers lots of other valuable stuff. For example, it is able to backup your data not only to files on the hard drive or network, but can automatically upload the backups to an FTP server if you have set up an offsite storage facility. The ability to password protect backups and the way it gives easy access to PST (the database Outlook uses to store its files on your computer) repair and maintenance tools, make OutlookBackupPro a well-rounded tool for working with your Outlook data. ConsOutlookBackupPro isn't perfect. Its inability to use its HotShadow technology on Windows XP machines is a bit inconvenient. The fact that it's another application you need to own (in addition to your regular backup program) is an annoyance, but an unavoidable one.ConclusionOutlookBackupPro addresses the real problem of protecting your Outlook data from crashes, viruses, and other system glitches. I'm using it on one of the machines in my lab, where it is quietly and unobtrusively doing its job of backing up my Outlook data without a hitch. You can't ask for more than that from a utility like this.If you are concerned about losing your Outlook data, OutlookBackupPro can protect it for you. To learn more about the product and download a 14-day free trial, click here.
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