restoring contact and email data from backup after computer resto

[scrapper]

I recently had to restore my computer to factory settings. I backed up
everything to external hard drive. How do I restore my addresses and emails
back to outlook?

 

[Gordon]

I recently had to restore my computer to factory settings. I backed up
everything to external hard drive. How do I restore my addresses and
emails
back to outlook?

Depends. How did you make this backup?

 

[Russ Valentine [MVP-Outlook]]

The file you need is your Personal Folders file (*.pst) It's where all the
mail, calendar, contacts etc are stored.

Take a look at these pages for info on Outlook data backup or transfer:
http://www.slipstick.com/config/backup.htm
http://www.howto-outlook.com/Howto/backupandrestore.htm
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/assistance/HA010771141033.aspx

Note that some of the information on these pages is outdated and no longer
applies to Outlook 2003 or 2007. Specifically:
1. Ignore any advice to copy your PST file to Outlook's default location to
connect it to your profile. Doing so only corrupts your profile. Copy it
anywhere BUT the default location and open it within your Outlook profile.
2. Ignore any advice that tells you to use export or import to transfer
Outlook data. That has never been sound advice, but the process has become
too deeply flawed now to be of any use.