Outlook Data Files (.pst), or Personal Storage Tables files, contain Outlook user messages and other Outlook items, such as contacts, appointments, tasks, notes, and journal entries. You might also use an Outlook data file to backup messages or store older items locally on your computer to keep the size of your mailbox small.
We currently provide different levels of support for Outlook Data Files, depending on which version of Outlook you are using. To determine which version of Outlook you're using, look for File on the ribbon. If there's no File option, you're using new Outlook. If the File option is there, you're using classic Outlook.
Outlook Data File (.pst) support in new Outlook
With the first phase of support for .pst files in the new Outlook for Windows, you'll have read-only access to Mail items in .pst files. This means you can open .pst files, read your emails, and search for emails within these files.
Note: Calendar, Contacts, and Tasks data saved in .pst files will not be accessible in this version. Future releases of new Outlook will expand the support for .pst file capabilities.
Open an Outlook Data File (.pst) in new Outlook
You can open .pst files, read e-mails in .pst files, and search .pst files for emails.
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To open an Outlook Data File (.pst), go to Settings > General > Outlook Data Files.
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Select Add file.
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Select Continue to open.
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Select a .pst file and then select Open.
Requirements
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Outlook Data Files (.pst) support requires Microsoft 365 to be installed.
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Outlook Data Files (.pst) support requires classic Outlook to be installed.
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Outlook Data Files (.pst) support requires a Microsoft 365 subscription.
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Outlook Data Files (.pst) support is not available with ARM version of new Outlook for Windows.
Open an Outlook Data File (.pst) in classic Outlook
If you use a POP or IMAP account, then all of your Outlook information is stored in an Outlook data file, also known as a Personal Storage Table (.pst) file.
By default, when you use classic Outlook's search tools, Outlook only searches the current mailbox. Any additional Outlook data files stored on your computer won't be searched unless you change your search scope to All Mailboxes.
You might also have an Outlook data file if you use AutoArchive with your Exchange server email account. This is a different feature than Archive button in Outlook 2016. For more information, see Archive in Outlook 2016. To see what your AutoArchive settings and location are, and for instructions to turn off AutoArchive, see Automatically move or delete older items with AutoArchive.
Open an Outlook Data File in classic Outlook
In order for Outlook to search a Personal Folders file for a specific word or phrase or sender, the file must be open in Outlook.
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In classic Outlook, choose File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
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Choose the Outlook data file you want to open.
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Expand the top level of the Outlook data file in the Outlook Navigation pane to see the subfolders in the file. Click each subfolder to see the contents.
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To search for a specific email, use Outlook's built-in search tools.
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If you want to import your archived items back into your Inbox, follow the instructions for importing a .pst file.
Find your .pst file
In Outlook 2016 and newer versions, new Outlook data files are, by default, saved in the following locations:
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Windows 10 drive:\Users\user\Documents\Outlook Files\archive.pst
In earlier versions of Outlook, the archive file is saved in the following locations:
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Windows 10 drive:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst
Related topics
Switch to another Outlook e-mail profile
