.pst is Outlook Personal Information Store File
| Feature | .PST File Extension |
|---|---|
| File extension | .pst |
| File type | Email data file |
| Primary program | Microsoft Outlook |
| Other programs that can open PST files | Microsoft Exchange Server, Stellar Converter for Outlook, PST2GB |
| File size limit | 2 GB |
| Stores | Messages, contacts, calendar events, notes, and other Outlook items |
| Common uses | Archiving email data, backing up Outlook data, and transferring Outlook data to another computer |
What's on this Page
A PST file, or Personal Folders file, is a data file used by Microsoft Outlook to store email messages, calendar events, contacts, and other items. PST files are often used to store archived data or to back up Outlook data.
To open a PST file, you can double-click on it or open it from within Outlook. To open a PST file from within Outlook, go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File
and select the PST file that you want to open.
To export Outlook data to a PST file, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Export to a file > Outlook Data File (.pst). Select the items that you want to export and click Next. Choose a location to save the PST file and click Finish.
To import Outlook data from a PST file, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst). Select the PST file that you want to import from and click Next. Choose the folders that you want to import and click Next. Choose where you want to import the data to and click Finish.
If your PST file becomes corrupted, there are a number of software tools that can be used to fix it. However, it is important to note that PST file repair can be a complex and time-consuming process, and there is no guarantee that all of your data will be repaired.
To change the default location of your PST file, go to File > Account Settings > Data Files. Select the PST file that you want to change the location of and click Settings. Click Browse and select the new location for the PST file. Click OK to save your changes.
To reduce the size of your PST file, you can delete old or unwanted emails, calendar events, contacts, and other items. You can also compress your PST file by going to File > Account Settings > Data Files. Select the PST file that you want to compress and click Settings. Click Compact Now and click OK to save your changes.
To password protect your PST file, go to File > Account Settings > Data Files. Select the PST file that you want to password protect and click Settings. Click Add Password and enter a password. Click OK to save your changes.
To migrate your PST file to a new computer, you can copy it to the new computer and then import it into Outlook. To import the PST file, go to File > Open & Export > Import/Export > Import from another program or file > Outlook Data File (.pst). Select the PST file that you want to import from and click Next. Choose the folders that you want to import and click Next. Choose where you want to import the data to and click Finish.
To recover deleted items from a PST file, you can use Outlook's built-in recovery tools. To do this, go to Deleted Items folder and click the Recover Deleted Items button. Select the items that you want to recover and click Recover.
PST files are an important part of Microsoft Outlook. They are used to store email messages, calendar events, contacts, and other items. If you use Outlook, it is important to understand what PST files are and how to manage them.