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How to Back Up and Recover OneNote Files

OneNote’s fragmented structure and sync issues make backing up notebooks tricky. Many users assume their data is safe, only to find it’s not.

BackupVault simplifies this with automated, secure backups for Microsoft 365, ensuring reliable recovery for your OneNote data.

Discover more with our Microsoft 365 backup solution.

Dependable Backup Solution for Microsoft OneNote

Understanding How OneNote
Files Work

OneNote isn’t just a simple file – it’s a layered structure with section groups, sections, pages, and subpages, making it incredibly flexible but also harder to back up.

This complexity means traditional backup methods fall short. Syncing through OneDrive or Teams keeps your data updated across devices, but syncing is not the same as a backup.

If something goes wrong (whether it’s data loss or accidental overwrites) syncing won’t help you recover your notes.

BackupVault provides reliable, secure backups for OneNote, ensuring your data is safe and recoverable, regardless of sync errors or loss.

BackupVault’s key Microsoft
OneNote features

Restore any version of your notes
Restore any version of your notes

Retrieve your OneNote content effortlessly with BackupVault. Whether it’s a recent brainstorm or an important idea from years ago, our system can bring back the exact note you need, whenever you need it.

Unlimited storage and retention
Unlimited storage and retention

Never worry about running out of space for your notes. BackupVault offers unlimited storage capacity, so that every idea, project plan, or meeting summary is securely preserved for as long as you need.

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Seamless integration with Microsoft 365

Experience smooth, unobtrusive integration with your Microsoft 365 environment. This seamless blend allows the backup process to enhance your workflow without any disruptions.

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Automated backup schedules

Schedule backups to run automatically at intervals that suit your workflow best. Your notes will be consistently backed up and up-to-date without any manual effort on your part.

Quick and easy data recovery
Quick and easy data recovery

In case of accidental deletions or data loss, restoring your OneNote content is quick and hassle-free. This rapid recovery process minimises downtime and lets you get back to work without missing a beat.

User-friendly interface
User-friendly interface

Manage your backups and restores with ease using our intuitive interface. BackupVault is designed for users of all technical levels for a seamless user experience for everyone.

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24/7 support

Our dedicated support team is available around the clock to assist you with any questions or issues you may have. Help is always just a message or call away.

Cost-effective backup solution
Cost-effective solution

Enjoy the benefits of a reliable backup solution without breaking the bank. BackupVault offers competitive pricing, so you get top-notch service without any financial strain.

Peace of mind
Peace of mind

Focus on your work with confidence and rest easy knowing that your OneNote data is securely backed up and can be recovered at any time.

Maintaining compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and Governance Standards

At BackupVault, we prioritise the safeguarding of your Microsoft 365 OneNote data in compliance with essential regulations like GDPR, CCPA, and other governance standards. Recognising the sensitivity of your organisation’s OneNote content, we provide a specialised backup solution designed to adhere to these rigorous compliance requirements.

How to Back Up OneNote
Files Manually

Method
Pros
Cons
Download Entire Folders via OneDrive Web Easy access, no software required. Only backs up notebooks, not individual pages. No automation, manual process, risk of incomplete sync.
Use OneNote Desktop Export to .ONEPKG Files Complete notebook backups. Manual, no scheduling, and .ONEPKG files may be incompatible with other versions or apps.
Microsoft’s Built-In Backup in OneNote 2016 Desktop Regular backups with minimal effort. Only applies to local notebooks; no version restore, syncing issues may cause incomplete backups.

Why Manual OneNote Backups
Often Fail

While OneNote offers basic backup options, they come with several limitations:

  • Missing Export Options: OneNote doesn’t allow for easy, granular exports, leaving users with limited control over what gets backed up.
  • Unopenable Files After Download: Files exported from OneNote or OneDrive can become corrupted or unopenable, especially if they were synced across multiple devices or versions.
  • File Integrity and Compatibility Issues: Syncing issues can lead to inconsistent backups, where some notes or sections fail to sync properly, affecting file integrity. Compatibility problems often arise when transferring .ONEPKG files between different versions or apps.

These frustrations are often tied to Microsoft’s API limitations, such as delays in recovery with Teams or Class Notebooks, where syncing can lag behind, resulting in incomplete backups.

What’s Not Backed Up by Default in Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 doesn’t automatically back up your Teams chat messages, OneNote content, or files shared within Teams or OneDrive. This means that without a dedicated backup solution, your data is vulnerable to loss, and restoring it isn’t always possible.

To fully protect your data, consider using BackupVault for comprehensive, automated backups and reliable recovery.

Hear from our satisfied customers

“I have peace of mind knowing our data is secure, backed up daily and easy to restore.”

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Steve Bradshaw
IT Manager Eunisure Ltd

“BackupVault complies with our Law Society rules and keeps our data securely in the UK.”

Heather Shaw
Shaw’s Law Ltd

“We recovered our files in minutes after a disk failure. No stress.”

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Steve Goacher
Harbour Systems Ltd

“A system crash didn’t slow us down—our data was restored remotely with zero service loss.”

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Jacqui Katz
Fresh Property Management Ltd

“Secure, encrypted backups with outstanding support. Best we’ve used.”

Ian Hobson
Magic Eye Consulting

Try a Reliable OneNote Backup Tool (Free Trial Available)

Data loss in OneNote can lead to lost messages, files, and crucial business information. BackupVault simplifies and automates Teams backup, ensuring your data is secure and easily recoverable.

Don’t risk losing important data. Trust our cloud backup service for complete Teams protection.