Open and Close Outlook Data Files (.pst)

This is a guide on how to open outlook data files stored in the .pst format. For POP and IMAP accounts, you might store your Outlook items in an Outlook Data File (.pst).

  1. Select File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.

  2. Select the Outlook Data File (.pst), and then select Open.

  3. Once you open the Outlook Data File (.pst), the file will appear in your folder pane. Usually, you can find it at the bottom of the list of folders. The following image is an example. The name of your Outlook Data File (.pst) will likely not be “outlook data file.” Usually, the name is based on the account the file is associated with. For example, an Outlook Data File for the account Cheryl.Parsons64@yahoo.com will likely be named “Cheryl Parsons” or “Cheryl.Parsons64@yahoo.com.”

    outlook data file example

Your older email messages, calendar events, and tasks might be stored in an archive Outlook Data File (.pst). Even if your account uses an offline Outlook Data File (.ost) for all of its day-to-day information, you may still have an archive.pst file that contains older information.

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