Backup Outlook 2010

[serussel]

Do I need to backup outlook 2010 when it is only connected to my hotmail account?
I am planning on formatting my computer but I am of the thought that all my contacts are saved on a MS server somewhere. Is that correct or must I back up the .ost/.pst files?

 

[kenrivers]

As far as I know you do not need to be connected to your Hotmail account to create a backup of Outlook 2010. Outlook 2010 should be installed locally (on the computer) and is independent of Hotmail. If you contacts are in Outlook 2010 then I seriously doubt there is an online backup of them. This link - http/office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook-help/export-outlook-items-to-an-outlook-data-file-pst-HA102534110.aspx - explains how to backup Outlook 2010.