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Where Are Outlook Pst Files Stored?

If you’re an Outlook user, you may have wondered where Outlook stores your PST files. PST files are used to store emails, contacts, calendars and other data associated with Outlook. Knowing where Outlook stores your PST files can help you locate them if needed and can be a useful troubleshooting tool. In this article, we’ll explore where Outlook stores PST files so you can easily find them.

Where Are Outlook Pst Files Stored?

Source: howtogeek.com

Where does Outlook Store PST Files?

The PST (Personal Storage Table) file is the native data file of Microsoft Outlook. It contains all of the local data stored in Outlook such as emails, contacts, notes, calendar entries, tasks, and more. The PST file is stored locally on the users’ computers and is used to store the data offline. By default, the location of PST files is different depending on the version of Outlook and the operating system being used.

In most cases, the PST file is stored in a folder named “Outlook Files” in the user’s profile directory. To access the file, the user must open the Outlook application and then navigate to the folder containing the PST file. The exact location of the folder varies depending on the version of Outlook and the operating system being used.

Where PST Files are Located in Windows 10?

In Windows 10, the default location of the PST file is in the user’s profile directory. The exact location of the file depends on the version of Outlook being used. For Outlook 2016, the file is located in the C:\Users\\Documents\Outlook Files folder. For Outlook 2019, the file is located in the C:\Users\\OneDrive\Documents\Outlook Files folder.

Where PST Files are Located in Windows 7?

In Windows 7, the default location of the PST file is in the Documents and Settings folder. The exact location of the file depends on the version of Outlook being used. For Outlook 2007, the file is located in the C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook folder. For Outlook 2010, the file is located in the C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook folder.

How to Locate PST Files?

The exact location of the PST file can be determined by opening the Outlook application and navigating to the File tab. From there, the user can select the Account Settings option and then select the Data Files tab. This will display a list of all the PST files associated with the Outlook account.

Using Search to Find PST Files

The easiest way to locate the PST file is to use the search feature of the operating system. For example, in Windows 10, the user can open the File Explorer and use the search bar to search for “Outlook Files”. This will return a list of all the PST files associated with the Outlook account.

Using the Command Prompt to Find PST Files

Another way to locate the PST file is to use the command prompt. To do this, the user can open the command prompt window and type in the following command: “dir /s *.pst”. This will return a list of all the PST files associated with the Outlook account.

How to Open PST Files?

Once the PST file has been located, the user can open it with the Outlook application. To do this, the user must open the Outlook application and then navigate to the File tab. From there, the user can select the Open & Export option and then select the Open Outlook Data File option. This will open the PST file in a separate window.

Using Third-Party Applications to Open PST Files

In addition to the Outlook application, the user can also open the PST file with a third-party application. There are a number of applications available that allow the user to open and view the contents of the PST file. These applications typically have a user-friendly interface and allow the user to view the emails, contacts, notes, calendar entries, and other data stored in the PST file.

Using Online Services to Open PST Files

Finally, the user can also use an online service to open the PST file. There are a number of online services that allow the user to upload the PST file and view the contents of the file in a web browser. These services typically provide an easy-to-use interface and allow the user to view the emails, contacts, notes, calendar entries, and other data stored in the PST file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Where are Outlook Pst files stored?

A1: Outlook Pst files are stored in the user’s local profile folder, and the exact location depends on the version of Windows being used. For Windows 10 and Windows 8, the Outlook Pst file is located in C:\Users\\Documents\Outlook Files. For Windows 7 and Vista, the file is located in C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.

Q2: How do I open a Pst file?

A2: To open a Pst file, open Outlook and click on File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Then, navigate to the location of the Pst file on your computer, select it, and click Open.

Q3: What is the difference between a PST and an OST file?

A3: PST files are used to store data in Outlook, such as emails, contacts, tasks, and calendar entries. OST files are used to store data that is stored on an Exchange server and is synchronized with Outlook. The main difference between the two is that PST files are stored locally on the user’s computer, while OST files are stored on the server.

Q4: How do I backup my PST file?

A4: To backup a PST file, open Outlook and click on File > Open & Export > Import/Export. Then, select the option to Export to a File and select Outlook Data File (.pst). Select the items you want to back up and click Next. Then, select the folder where you want to save the backup file, enter a name for the file, and click Finish.

Q5: How do I compress a PST file?

A5: To compress a PST file, open Outlook and click on File > Data File Management. Select the PST file you want to compress, then click Settings > Compact Now. This will reduce the size of the PST file by compressing its data.

Q6: How do I move my PST file to a different computer?

A6: To move a PST file to a different computer, open Outlook on the new computer and click on File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Then, navigate to the folder where the PST file is located on the old computer, select it, and click Open. The PST file will then be loaded into Outlook on the new computer.

How To Find Outlook Data Files Location (.pst and .ost) Windows 10 || Microsoft Outlook

To sum up, Outlook PST files are stored in a specific location depending on your version of Outlook and the operating system you are using. For Outlook 2019 and 2016, PST files are stored in the following location: C:\Users\\Documents\Outlook Files. In Outlook 2010 and earlier versions, the PST files are stored in the following location: C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. It is important to know this information in order to access your Outlook PST files for backup or other purposes.