If you’ve ever relied on Sticky Notes in Windows to jot down quick reminders, ideas, or important details, you know how valuable they can be. But what happens if your system crashes or you accidentally delete your notes? That’s where creating a backup comes in handy. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about backing up Sticky Notes in Windows 11—from locating your notes to restoring them when needed.
Why Backing Up Sticky Notes Matters
Think about it: your Sticky Notes often contain personal reminders, project details, or even sensitive information like passwords (though you really shouldn’t store those there). Losing them could mean hours of frustration. By setting up a backup, you’re giving yourself peace of mind, just like keeping a spare car key.
Where Sticky Notes Are Stored in Windows 11
Before we back them up, let’s first figure out where these notes live. Sticky Notes in Windows 11 are stored inside a hidden system folder.
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The default location is:
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Inside this folder, you’ll find a file called plum.sqlite. This is the main database file that contains all your Sticky Notes.
Think of this file as the brain of Sticky Notes—protect it, and you protect your notes.
Step 1: Show Hidden Files and Folders
Since the AppData folder is hidden by default, you’ll need to make it visible.
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Open File Explorer.
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Click on the View tab in the ribbon.
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Select Show → Hidden items.
Now you can easily navigate to the Sticky Notes folder.
Step 2: Locate the Sticky Notes Database File
Once hidden items are visible:
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Go to C:\Users<YourUsername>\AppData\Local\Packages.
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Open the folder named Microsoft.MicrosoftStickyNotes_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
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Navigate to LocalState.
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Look for the plum.sqlite file.
This single file contains all your notes—like a mini safe holding your digital reminders.
Step 3: Copy the plum.sqlite File
Now that you’ve found the file:
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Right-click plum.sqlite.
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Choose Copy.
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Paste it to a safe location—like an external drive, USB stick, or cloud storage service.
Congratulations—you’ve just created a backup!
Step 4: Restore Sticky Notes from Backup
Accidentally deleted your notes? Don’t panic. Here’s how you can restore them:
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Close the Sticky Notes app if it’s running.
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Navigate back to the LocalState folder.
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Replace the existing plum.sqlite file with your backed-up copy.
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Relaunch Sticky Notes.
Your notes should now reappear like magic.
Using OneDrive for Automatic Backup
If manually copying files sounds like a chore, OneDrive can make the process easier.
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Move the plum.sqlite file into your OneDrive folder.
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Create a shortcut of the file back in the LocalState folder.
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Now, every time you make changes, OneDrive keeps a synced copy.
It’s like having a personal assistant making sure your notes are always safe.
Backup with Third-Party Tools
Don’t want to deal with manual methods? There are several backup tools that can automatically handle Sticky Notes, such as:
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EaseUS Todo Backup
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AOMEI Backupper
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Backup & Sync utilities
These programs let you schedule backups so you never forget.
Export Sticky Notes Using Microsoft Account Sync
Here’s the cool part: Sticky Notes can sync with your Microsoft account. That means your notes aren’t tied to just one PC.
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Open Sticky Notes.
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Click the Settings (gear icon).
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Sign in with your Microsoft account.
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Enable Sync.
Now, your notes will follow you across devices—like having your sticky board in your pocket.
Alternative: Copy Notes to Microsoft OneNote
If you prefer organizing everything in one place, you can copy Sticky Notes into OneNote.
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Open Sticky Notes.
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Right-click on each note → Copy.
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Paste them into a OneNote notebook.
This way, your notes become part of your larger digital organization system.
What If the plum.sqlite File Gets Corrupted?
Sometimes, the backup file itself may become corrupted. In that case:
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Try restoring from an older backup copy.
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If you’ve synced with your Microsoft account, uninstall and reinstall Sticky Notes to reload your notes from the cloud.
Think of it as hitting the reset button.
Tips to Keep Your Sticky Notes Safe
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Backup regularly: Don’t just do it once.
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Use cloud storage: OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox work great.
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Avoid storing passwords: Use a password manager instead.
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Export important notes: For critical info, copy it to Word or OneNote.
Remember, prevention is always easier than recovery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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Forgetting to close Sticky Notes before replacing the database file.
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Storing the backup only on the same PC (what if it crashes?).
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Assuming Microsoft automatically backs up your notes without enabling sync.
Avoid these pitfalls, and your notes will stay safe and sound.
Backing Up Sticky Notes vs. Other Note Apps
You might wonder: why not just switch to another app like Evernote or Notion? While those offer more features, Sticky Notes shines in simplicity. Backing it up ensures you get the best of both worlds—convenience plus safety.
Conclusion
Backing up Sticky Notes in Windows 11 is easier than it sounds. Whether you prefer the manual plum.sqlite method, syncing with your Microsoft account, or using cloud backups, there’s a solution that fits your style. Treat your Sticky Notes like valuable Post-it notes stuck on your digital desk—don’t risk losing them. A quick backup now can save you from a big headache later.
FAQs
1. Can I transfer Sticky Notes to another PC?
Yes! Just copy the plum.sqlite file from your old PC and paste it into the same folder on your new PC.
2. Do Sticky Notes sync automatically with Windows 11?
Not unless you sign in with your Microsoft account and enable sync in the Sticky Notes settings.
3. What if I can’t find the AppData folder?
Enable “Show hidden items” in File Explorer, and the AppData folder will appear.
4. Can I back up individual Sticky Notes instead of all of them?
No, Sticky Notes saves everything in one database file (plum.sqlite). You can’t separate them.
5. Is there a way to recover deleted Sticky Notes without backup?
If you had sync enabled, check your Microsoft account. Otherwise, once deleted without backup, they’re gone for good.