14 DAY TRIAL // Windows OS never comes alone and the package includes lots of applications that are more or less needed. You have the utilities on one hand, which are pretty good and help you maintain your PC running as fast as possible. On the other hand, there are the multimedia features with Windows Media Player and Image Viewer. Communication is also covered by a number of applications like messenger and Outlook e-mail client.
I agree that there are lots of flaws in each of them and sometimes it is better to use an external application. But some of the users grew attached to Outlook and they have a reason for this. It is free, it does not require installing, it is fully integrated with your Windows OS. All it needs is to be configured to the users' needs. But backing up your emails may be a bitch if you do not know where that .dbx file is stored.
You will have to turn your computer upside down and still won't find it (I performed a "hunt" for the extension using the search tool in Total Commander and Windows and they did not find a trace) as the file has the hidden attribute.
Of course, if you know the application and take a look in the Options under Maintenance and click on the Store Folder button, you will be given the path and it can even be changed to a more "surface" location on your computer. The entire process is extremely nagging and will end up by giving some of you a headache.
An easier solution comes from WCCL, a company that is developing Backup E-mail. It is a software that does exactly what the name suggests and more. The price of this extremely easy to use tool is $24.95. For testing purposes only there is available a trial version of the software that has as single restriction the incapacity of restoring the created backup. The application is designed to backup your messages in your Outlook, Outlook Express and the Internet Explorer favorites.
Our test was performed using Outlook Express and Internet Explorer 7.
The WYSISWYG interface is practically a wizard that will guide you through every step of the operation. There are three options available from the launch of the software. The users can create backups of the emails received in the email client, restore the messages, settings or the IE favorites, and schedule the backup. The last option comes in very handy as you make the necessary settings and relax, the software will update your backup file without your attendance.
Immediately after choosing your option (backup, restore or schedule) the wizard will begin its activity and assist you until the operation is complete. If you choose to create a backup of Outlook Express you can choose the items to include in the file: select the items available in identities or the items in the main identity (mail folder, signatures, message rules or address book).
For a better protection, the user can apply a password on the backup file so that when restore is performed the program will ask for the assigned countersign. The backup file can be stored in a user defined location on the computer. Thus, you will no longer have to search and search for the file.
The wizard offers you the chance to go back to the previous settings if you want to change an option or if you forgot something. Right before the backup process begins you will be informed of this in one last wizard message. In order for the backup to be performed, you will have to close Outlook Express as if it is running the saved data may be corrupt. A dialog will also warn you of this.
At the beginning of my backup process I received an error message that said that "A critical error has occurred" and that I should contact the manufacturer. But after clicking OK and looking into the location I had previously defined I could see that the file was created. Unfortunately, as the trial version does not support restoring the backup files, I could not make the necessary test to see if the file is corrupt or not.
When backing up my IE favorites I expected the same message, but it failed to appear. However, at the finish of the IE favorites backup operation I discovered that the software is equipped with a burner and that it gives you the possibility to write the backup file on a CD. Trying this option resulted in the received error messages. The CD burning window has almost everything you need (no multisession option), but unfortunately nothing works.
The Good
The application is very easy to handle due to its wizard and works very fast. The burning option is quite useful sometimes.
The schedule option is great as it allows you to set the software to perform a backup of the selected items at a certain time interval.
The Bad
Considering the amount of error messages delivered, I would say that the price is too high. I received the error message every time I performed a backup of the Outlook Express messages and settings. The same happened when I tried to burn the IE favorites to a CD (in fact the software did not even see the two burning devices I have installed) and when I tried to set the burning speed.
The Truth
At least you can backup your IE favorites. It is too bad that the software does not work properly as it looks very good and contains some features that are indeed useful.
Here are some snapshots of the application in action:
