Managing Outlook Templates

Step 01: Open File Explorer 

Open File Explorer in Windows. 

This is the file explorer icon 

Step 02: Open the Templates Folder 

  1. Once you open File Explorer, paste following address in the address bar %appdata%\Microsoft\Templates\ 
  2. then click Enter on your keyboard.  

This photo depicts the address bar.

Step 03: Copy Templates 

  1. In the window that opens, you will find a copy of all templates you created in Microsoft Outlook. Highlight all templates to be copied. 
  2. then click CTRL+C to make a copy of them. 

This image demonstrates the action of copying all files.

Note: If you only want to backup certain templates, simply look for that template by name and copy the file associated with it. Each template has one Outlook Template Item (.otf). To select multiple items, hold CTRL and click on each item. 

Step 04: Store the Copied Templates 

On OneDrive, you will need to create a templates folder for your backup templates. In this folder, click CTRL+V to paste the templates you copied in the previous step. Close all unneeded windows. 

This process may take a moment.

Step 05: Restore Templates 

  1. Once Microsoft Outlook is installed, open the folder you stored your templates in from Step 04. Click CTRL+A, then CTRL+C to copy your stored templates. 
  2. Repeat Steps 01 and 02 to open the Templates folder. 
  3. Once the templates folder is open, click CTRL+V to paste your templates. Close all unneeded windows.
  4. Ensure Outlook is fully closed and then restart Outlook. (If the templates have not reappeared, you will need to restart your computer to complete the process.)

You will find that your templates have been restored to Microsoft Outlook. 

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