Creating .PST files in Microsoft Outlook 2007 and Outlook 2003 is very simple. Because a reader recently asked for help with the task, I figured it deserved a quick How-To Article. Before we dive into “How-To” create .PST files, you might want to quickly review an article I just wrote which explains what is an Outlook Person Data file or .PST file and what would you want to use them.
BTW – Although my screenshots and steps were from Outlook 2007, the process for Outlook 2003 is very similar and you should be able to follow along.
How-To Create a .PST Using Outlook 2003 or Outlook 2007
1: From Outlook, Click File, New, Outlook Data File
2: Keep Default Setting – Office Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst) and Click OK
Note: In Step 3, you will need to decide where to SAVE the new .PST file. By default, new .PST files are saved:
- Windows Vista & Windows Server 2008: C:\Users\MrGroove\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\
- Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\MrGroove\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\
3: Verify location to save .PST file, Type File Name for .PST file (I organize by Mailbox Name and Year), Click OK
4: In the Name Field, Type Display Name. Use the name you want Outlook to display. Click OK
Note: Optionally, you can also enter a Password here to improve Security. Before Outlook 2007, adding a Password to a .PST file was worthless due to a flaw which allowed the Security to be defeated instantly using Security Password Cracking Products, no matter how long or complicated the password was. I’ve not tested to see if Microsoft fixed this Issue in Outlook 2007 but once I do, I’ll update the article.
5: New .PST or Local Personal Data Folder will display in your Navigation Pane after Step 4, as shown in the Screen Snip Below. Expand the Personal Data File you created and Right Click on Personal Data File (MrGroove – 2008 in my example) to begin creating additional folders, calendars, etc. Drag and Drop also work OR, you can Cut and Paste Emails or Folders of Emails from your Server Mailbox to your new .PST Personal Data Folder. It’s pretty simple.
Pretty straight forward BUT, if you have any questions, comments, etc., or if you’re looking for more information on .PST Files or Outlook Data Files, take a look at my article https://www.groovypost.com/howto/microsoft/outlook/what-are-outlook-pst-files-and-why-use-them-or-not/. A lot of good GROOVY information regarding .PST files and their use.
50 Comments
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jagan
This is really a good article .. you just no need to read also … simply you can just follow the arrows and your work will be done …
Great man
sensee sherman
ooh yes you gust me the answer i been looking for.
but how can i direct the pst file to a local server running 2003 to be save?
MrGroove
Thanks Jagan ;)
Overseer
great website – Thumbs up to all those who keep this site going!!
vwcarter
Thanks for the info. I am trying to transfer an old Outlook 2003 .pst file from my old desktop to my new Vista laptop. I have been able to create a second .pst file on the new laptop that I can view from the outlook program on my laptop. However I can not figure out how to get the data from the old .pst file to show up in my secondary .pst visible from outlook. When I click File- Open- Outlook Data File, there are 3 files visible. Two of them show-up w/ no file extension and are the two visible psts when I look at Outlook via the user interface. The third file shows up w/ a .pst file extension but does not show up at all via the user interface. This third file is the file that contains all my old data that I am trying to “import”. My goal is to have 2 psts in my new Outlook—one w/ all my data from here forward and one w/ all my data from my old computer that I will use as an archive. Any help on this is appreciated! I thought I could create the new pst on my laptop and copy the .pst data file from my laptop into it. However it is not allowing me to copy into it. Just shows up as the 3rd file. Thanks again.
nani
hi it is great super
AJ
I love the post unfortunately, I had alreadey created pst folders, now I’m a little confused as I did not name them correctly. I have always used subfolders, (right click on the Inbox) easier to locate an email. I use 2003 and I need to transfer everything from outlook and a few docs. so that I can change my hard drive. I have saved my calendar.
My problem is that your files have the .pst file extension, the ones I saved just say Outlook
or Calendar. When I click to open on the Outlook file, it leads me straight into Outlook. Not sure if that is correct, and don’t want to lose any information. Any help would be appreciated.
DelnaC
This was a great help. Thanks so much.
MrGroove
@DelnaC – Your VERY welcome! Welcome to groovyPost.com! Hope to see you around on the site and the forum.
Cliff Deniken
I don’t know why google sent me to this blog but I can say I have become more or less captivated by the blog content you have together. How much time did it take to begin to get so many users coming to your site? I am rather new to this interenet thing.
bhaskar
good job thanks man
Barun
It is really good to create .PST.
MrGroove
Awesome! Glad it workd out for ya Barun! Welcome to my blog and I hope to see you around the website!
Will
Thanks, doing my annual spring clean of creating a new archive. I can never remember how to create a new one!
Great guide
Mark
when I click: file -> new -> then I don’t get an option of “Outlook Data File”. ??
I have Outlook 2006, Vista
Wizler
Hi,
I receive an error when moving emails in Outlook 2007 to a PST file that I don’t have the appropriate permissions. Given myself Full mailbox rights and made myself owner of the Inbox but the error still persists. Please help!!!!!
Wizler
ssa
its great
V
It was very helpful
leon
Newcomer to site. Tried to follow instructions to make Outlook .pst file
Want to be able back up all Outlook data on old netbook as well as transfer to new laptop
followed instructions but cannot see how to back up data using that info.
advise welcome…will also try to find community forum…if sufficiently user friendly, hopefully will do so…but if response possible by mail, thank you!
leon
Or rather, not by mail but via comment here….as I said, newcomer…and a bit jaded from hours of so far futile effort!!
Ryan
very useful information! thanks…
Sreenivas reddy
first of all thanks for ur precious info….nice to see other groovy posts here….great:)
Kiran
Hi, this is very thorough, clear with step wise screenshots. Any person can create .pst file just at first attempt without any doubts. thanks
Kawsar Ahmed
Thanks for this, mate!
Soniya
Its really gr8. I really like it. Really good article Mr. Groove. Thanks
Archana
great help… thanks a zillion for posting this.. :)
Godzuky
Thanks for sharing this.. it was very helpful and easy to do.
Naveen Negi
Hi Groove, thank you so much, it is really helpful site.
MrGroove
Hi Naveen – Thanks for the feedback – I’m glad you find my blog helpful! spread the word!!! :) :)
Alan
Helped a bunch! Thanks. Zero to PST in under two minutes!!
exportost
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Karen
I do not have the choice of :Outlook Data file’ in my Outlook , New, File
What do i need to do?
Erika
How do I get my emails to come out of and to my new pst folder? I keep getting messages saying I am over the size limit even after deleting everything permanently and having the pst file.
Mahesh B N
Thanks for info.
Miguel Angel
Thanks Steve for the article. I have 3 questions here.
My .PST has 3.1GB. But I’ve noticed that when I delete useless mails, the size barely goes down.
1. So, should I create a new .PST and move the things that I want to this new file so as to get a small file?
2. The 3.1GB size is the reason Outlook is working slowly?
3. Let’s say I have 2 .PST’s that I want to “upload” to the Outlook… how is that donde? Can I do that?
Thanks in advance!
Miguel
Lorin
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mispeed
hello together,
i have a problem…. ;(
i crashed my outlook during entering in a fresh outlook my google exchange dates…. now outlook doesnt start….
i read in a block to delete outlook and kill the complete outlook folder here ‘C:\Users\Teddy\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook’…
reinstalled outlook…. nothing happened…. outlook is searching the files… but there are deleted…
can anyone upload a fresh file that i need to start outlook?
the post here is really usefull… but i cant create the file out of outlook ;(
can anyone helb me? ;)
thx
greeds
mispeed
Nirdosh rathi
Hi Groove, thank you so much, it is really helpful site.
loadedgenx
Steve, you’re too handsome to be in IT.
Steve Krause
I don’t know who you are but…. the check is in the mail!
Carla
Thanks a bunch! You’re great at what you do!
Steve Krause
Hi Carla — Thanks so much for the feedback. I work hard to keep great content posted up on the site. I appreciate the feedback!
Nimrod
Great Post, but check your grammar. Really takes the professional look and feel away when the auther confuses “You’re” and “Your”
hsghgfa
Hi
Rehan
Man !
you are the champ! I didn’t know it was that easy as you explained.
It worked for me.
thanks!
Priti
i have created a pst but my mails are coming in old pst
Steve Krause
Hi Priti – What version of Outlook are you running?
md rasool
good one ,, to learn the end user but make sure that screen shot is clearly to veiw or not
Udaya Reddy
Hi Grovee,
Really very helpful. Awesome jobe done by you. Thanks.
Mohamamdarif
thank you sir you save my soul