Please can you confirm that the Synchronize function operates on Microsoft Office Data Files/.pst files. I have been unable to find this in either Help or FAQs
Many thanks
John Benjamin
Operates in what sense?
Opus has no specific knowledge of Outlook or the internals of PST files, and the Synchronize function treats all file types the same; they are just binary data to it that it will copy from A to B.
Leo
V many thanks. I am aware that .pst files are allegedly different or so I am led to believe. I will run a test & let you know the results.
John
Outlook's PST files files are different only in the sense that they can be open most of the time. So Windows may lock access to them.
PST files are not special if you are simply copying a file to another location, for backup purposes for example, unless the destination is also using an Outlook file of the same name. Not a wise move, I know, but you would be amazed by what people get up to.
It isn't just Outlook that can keep a pst file open. File index and search software can also keep them in its grasp.
There is one way in which PST files can be different, but it won't faze DOpus. They can accumulate internal errors that do not seem to bother Outlook, but that can bamboozle other programs that might want to use them. That is why Microsoft supplies repair tools for PST and OST files. Which is why I have a DOpus button to invoke scanpst.exe.
You would want to exit Outlook before copying any PST files.
(I don't know how Outlook works but some enterprise backup tools may be able to request that Outlook allow access to a consistent snapshot of the PST files so they can be backed up while still in use by Outlook, and without copying the data when an update to it was only half-finished. Some backup tools can do that with databases like SQL Server, so it may also be a feature of Outlook; I don't know. But Opus, and AFAIK all other file managers, don't do anything like that; they just copies the files as they would any other file.)
You don't need enterprise tools to get this feature. It is one of the selling points of SyncBack Pro, an inexpensive tool with a wonderfully relaxed licensing regime.
Unless you are saying that their claims are dubious.
I've never used it so I don't know, but I don't see any mention of Outlook or PST files in their feature summaries, at least.
(Backing up in-use files on its own is not what I mean, if that's what you're thinking of. For that to work with a database format like PST, you need cooperation from the program that has the files open so you can ensure the snapshot you copy is in a consistent state.)
I'm not an expert on that product though.
I wasn't sure if this was really the right place to bang on about the features in "off topic" software, so I didn't include this bit:
I guess the answer to the original question comes down to what the user wants to do.
If they just want to use DOpus to copy or move files around the place, then it makes much sense to shut down Outlook and any other programs that might have PST files in its clutches, and then to do their dirty work.
If the aim is to set up a system for doing fancier stuff, then alternative tools might be a better option. For example, if the idea is to create a backup regime – surely the sort of person who buys DOpus has this embedded in their daily routine – then it is probably better to use a specialist tool unless they have a truly simple setup.
I make no special claims for SyncBack. It is just the software that I have used for many years. But when seeking backup software it clearly makes sense to investigate how it handles PST files.
FWIW It's been my experience that Outlook can be a tricky beast to tame when it comes to totally backing it up.
While the vast majority of data is stored in Outlook's PST file, other Outlook settings are scattered around elsewhere. For this reason I use a special program dedicated to totally backing up Outlook, it does so the first time I boot up my computer each day. This way if I lose my hard drive I can do a complete Outlook restoration on a new drive and be right back up and running again.
(Yes folks, I am still alive here. lol)
You have to enable VSS to copy locked/opened pst-files (or just close Outlook). I don't know if DO supports VSS-copy, because I also use SyncBackPro for sync/backup.
BTW I've installed xx copies of SBP in the last years (including servers), it's working accurate and is inexpensive. You can fully integrate it into DO and e.g. export it completeley with DO-USB. But please note that SBP can't create sys-backups like TrueImage! And please note, that this should be no advertising, I recommend it only as much as I recommend DirOpus elsewhere 
, because with both you've the perfect solution for your files!
I what way? Anything beyond the usual "right-click" menu options?
Most times I simply execute profiles via DO-buttons, but you can do nearly everything via commandline and use your commands easily in DO (e.g. sourec/dest on a backup profile). Also I use the portable version and save SBP (incl. settings/profiles) within DO's prefs-folder.