Sync Outlook Laptop with Desktop

[Jon_King]

After trying several Outlook syncing software packages and not very happy with them, I am hoping someone here has input. (Of the trials I tried one hangs with a difficult install and clumsy interface, another is only manual, another is expensive with cost by the number of folders you want to sync, etc., etc.)

I am wanting to sync my desktop and laptop Outlook files automatically. Not with Exchange but via .pst files.

Suggestions are appreciated.

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

Can't you just schedule to copy your PST file over?

[jimbeetle]

Have you tried Microsoft Briefcase? Not sure if you can set something up to do it auto, but might be worth checking out.

[Jon_King]

After trying many programs I found one that functions easily, automatically, and so far without errors. I am syncing Outlook 2007 between a Vista desktop and Win 7 Laptop... my productivity has gone up a notch :)

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

What was the program?

[Jon_King]

4Team Sync2 - The site is not much to look at, but so far the little app works like a charm.

[J_RaD]

im late in the thread, BUT

using sync toy to keep both pst files the same would be pretty simple.

make sure both outlooks are close, overwrite PST files, done.

[Jon_King]

Yep... tried those types of solutions and they certainly did work. But... I found making sure Outlook was closed in both locations to be a pretty big hassle. eg. my desktop is in my office on a different floor from where I generally use my laptop. I just found myself often without being synced because of that limitation.

This one uses a seperate live-changes-only file that both Outlook copies sync from. It really is pretty cool. I also found an additional suprise... in Win7 even when in Sleep mode the sync takes place. It seems to be in sync all the time with no intervention on my part. I have nothing to do with this company at all but I am honestly kinda giddy over the thing and how convienient and useful it has been for me.

[J_RaD]

nice! to bad you just don't have an IMAP mail server!

[Hoople]

Using Outlook as designed is far simpler. Use an OST (Offline Storage conTainer) file for local storage NOT a PST. All mail is periodically automatically synched from the Exchange server to the individual PC's OST file. Shutdown of Outlook forces a clean-up synch (drafts, sent, recently deleted, etc).

[rant on]
PSTs are evil and do self corrupt without notice. 2 gb limit per file. Most IT groups when faced with a recovery request will tell you 'sorry, you're SOL!' or similar. Really!
[/rant off]

signed,
an Exchange support guy since Outlook 96 (very first version)

Reference [tek-tips.com ] scroll down to post by '58sniper'

[BeeDeeDubbleU]

I have been using my PST file to back up for years with no problem. I also use it to share data between my PC and laptop.

There is no 2Gb restriction on current versions (from Outlook 2003 onwards).
[en.wikipedia.org...]

[J_RaD]

can you use a OST without an exchange server?

[bakedjake]

Not with Exchange but via .pst files.

I know you said "not with exchange", but why not just use Exchange as designed?

Hosted exchange can be had for $12/mo. for unlimited storage. Then you can have as many computers and other devices as you'd like.

2 gb limit per file.

What version of Outlook are you supporting? It's been 20GB (that's two zero gigabytes) for Unicode PSTs since Outlook 2003 for non-IMAP accounts, and since Outlook 2007 for all accounts by default, and you can configure it to be more if you'd like.

But Exchange is still easier.

[cmendla]

I would consider the hosted exchange that bakedjake mentioned. I pretty much gave up on trying to sync outlook.

What I do is to have my netbook set to not delete messages from the server. My laptop (main machine) is set to delete messages after 7 days. WHen I travel, or periodically, I copy the PST from the laptop to the netbook. That is in no way ideal, especially if you want to track your sent messages from the non-main machine.


My experience with the hosted exchange was for a client. The support from the hosted exchange was a bit spotty. However, it was what they needed.

With this economy, I am trying to keep costs contained, so I'll kludge along.