move Outlook background data

[Kathleane]

My laptop w/ Outlook on it went kapoot. I was running Windows XP Home and have a new computer running Windows 7 Pro.

I had my .pst files backed up, so that's good but all of the "background data" is gone, such as categories I added to the Master Category List, my email account setups, rules, etc.

Also even though I have my various separate contact lists when I send a mssg, hit TO: and then try to use the drop down box to choose a contact from a list other than the main Contacts list, no other contact lists are available. I can access them from the Contacts menu, they show up as folders (not subfolders).

I sync Outlook w/ my PDA and all the categories I had entered into the Master Category list on my previous computer are still there on the PDA.

Here are the .pst files I have available from my previous Outlook installation:
archive.pst, 2,497kb, 5/3/2008
archive2.pst, 130,691kb, 10/20/2009
archive1.pst, 265kb, 5/1/2008
archive1_backup.pst, 265kb, 5/1/2008
outlook.pst, 2497kb, 5/29/2008
outlook1.pst, 9193kb, 10/20/2009
outlook1_backup.pst, 765,841kb, 10/30/2009 (this is a copy of my whole .pst file, with all the default items in the file made from the new Outlook setup - which is of course missing all the items above)

Is there any way for me to salvage my lost setup data?

[Ol'Tunzafun]

I'm afraid not Kathleane. The settings file that you are looking for has a .ops extension. If you did not manually save them there will be no backup. Settings are not saved in a .pst file.

[Steve R Jones]

Anytime you type an address - the address gets stored in a file called:

Outlook.NKK2 and the file is stored:

C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

If you have access to the file on the old pc, it can be used to replace the file on the new pc.

[Kathleane]

Thank you. I'm going to try a couple more times to get into the old computer. At least I know what I'm looking for now. If I am able to save the .ops file do I simply import it into Outlook to get my settings, etc. and then import the most current .pst to get my current emails, appts, etc.?

[Kathleane]

I did what was supposed to be a complete backup of Outlook on my new machine (so that I don't run into this same trouble somewhere down the line). I did a search for *.ops files to find that backup and there is only one .ops titled RESETO11.ops created in December of 2002. Obviously that's not the file I created as a complete backup of Outlook. Any ideas how to find that file?

[Ol'Tunzafun]

Restoring to RESETO11.ops removes all custom settings. It is the native file that is loaded on a new installation.
To back up your settings, use the Save My Settings Wizard in Microsoft Office Tools on the Start menu. This will create a new .ops file that you can save in the location of your choice. If you did not use this method, you do not have a backup of your settings. If you do find another .ops file, use the same wizard to restore your settings.
One thing that it does not save is passwords, so they should be recorded elsewhere.

[Kathleane]

Thank you so much for your very easy to follow explanation of how to do a full settings backup. Much easier to follow then Microsoft's complicated and ineffective instructions. Looks like I lost out this time, but at least I'll be prepared next time.

[Kathleane]

When I do the save for the .ops file does that also save all my contacts, email mssgs etc. or only the settings?

[Ol'Tunzafun]

That wizard basically only saves settings.
Your mail, contacts, calendar and tasks are in the .pst file.

[Kathleane]

Thank you so much. You've been a big help. I lost out this time but I'll be setup up right to save Outlook properly next time.