An Outlook Data File (. pst) contains your messages and other Outlook items and is saved on your computer.Note: In Outlook 2013 and earlier versions, IMAP accounts also used an Outlook Data File (. pst). In Outlook 2016 and Outlook for Microsoft 365, IMAP accounts use Offline Outlook Data Files (.
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What are Outlook data files used for?
Outlook Data Files (. pst) are used for POP3, IMAP, and web-based mail accounts. When you want to create archives or back up your Outlook folders and items on your computer, such as Exchange accounts, you must create and use additional .
Can I delete Outlook data file?
Remove (close) an Outlook Data File (. pst) You can remove an Outlook data file from the Folder pane by closing the file.In the Folder pane, right-click the name of the Outlook Data File, and then choose Close “Outlook Data File”.
What happens if I clear Outlook data?
Note: Outlook may warn you that deleting your profile will remove offline data. You won’t lose any information stored in your Outlook Data Files (. pst) or any information stored in your online accounts, for example Outlook.com, Exchange, or Microsoft 365 accounts.
Why do I have so many Outlook data files?
Outlook can create 2 OST files if you have multiple Outlook IMAP profiles configured; for example, one default and one created by you. The second OST file could be an old file or may be associated with a different Exchange account. Outlook sometimes generates new OST files when another session has one locked.
How do you delete PST files in Outlook?
Another way to remove an opened pst-file from your mail profile is to go to the Data Files list, select the pst-file that you want to disconnect, and click the Remove button. This will only remove the file from Outlook and not delete it from your disk.
Where are Outlook emails stored?
Microsoft Outlook typically stores the messages, folders, calendars, and other items available to you in files with a . pst extension in the “Outlook Files” folder in the “Documents” folder on your computer.
What happens when you compact Outlook data file?
Compacting Outlook data files reclaims the space that is unavailable because it was previously occupied by an item. This can greatly reduce the amount of space that the OST or PST file occupies on your hard drive, and helps Outlook function efficiently.
What happens if I delete my .ost file?
In normal circumstances, when corrupt OST files are deleted by the users it may not result in deletion of Email messages as users are able to retrieve Outlook data by synchronizing data with Exchange server but here the EDB file is also inaccessible.
Does clearing data delete emails?
Clearing data erases all the downloaded messages (but only from the phone). That is why I warned about the amount of data that would be downloaded again when you sync after clearing data. It will not affect any settings or other products or messages stored in your account.
How do I clean up my Outlook storage?
In Outlook, choose File> Cleanup Tools > Mailbox Cleanup.
Best practices to keep your mailbox lean
- Archive older items – Move old items you want to keep to an archive.
- Empty the Deleted Items folder – Empty the Deleted Items folder frequently to make sure you aren’t keeping messages you don’t need.
How do I delete all Outlook data files?
Remove data files from Outlook 2010 and 2013
Step 1: Go to the Account Settings dialog box with clicking the File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings. Step 2: Select the data file name in the date file list under the Data Files tab. Step 3: Click the Remove button.
What is difference between OST and PST files in Outlook?
The critical difference between PST and OST files is the contents of a PST are only available in that file. The contents of an OST, however, are also available on the email server and any other device you use to access your email account.
How do I use Outlook data file?
First, open the Microsoft Office application, click “File” and then select Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File. Browse to the PST file you want to open and click “OK.” The PST will appear at the bottom of the navigation pane as “Outlook Data File.” Browse the folders in the PST like any other folder in Outlook.
How do I delete Outlook data files in Windows 10?
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- Go to Control Panel, choose Mail app.
- Click on Show Profiles button.
- Select the profiles associated with the account you want to remove and click remove.
What does a PST file contain?
The pst file contains ALL your Outlook data. Email folders, Contacts, Calendar, Journal and Tasks. Depending on your version it may also contain Rules as well.
Can PST files be stored on OneDrive?
You cannot actively use a PST file from OneDrive or SharePoint Online. While you may store your old PST files on OneDrive for Business or SharePoint Online for backups, Microsoft is NOT recommending this as a practice. The recommended practice is to convert your PST files to your Office 365 account.
How can I read a PST file without Outlook?
Using a third-party tool
The free program “Coolutils Outlook Viewer”, for example, enables you to open your PST file without Outlook. You can also use the program to change the format of your PST file to “EML”. This is how you can open your Outlook data file (PST) with other email providers too.
How do I permanently save Outlook emails?
Back up your email
- Select File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
- Select Export to a file, and then select Next.
- Select Outlook Data File (.pst), and select Next.
- Select the mail folder you want to back up and select Next.
- Choose a location and name for your backup file, and then select Finish.
Do Outlook emails take up hard drive space?
Our Outlook data file went from about 951MB down to about 845MB, so we got back a little over 100MB of disk space. The larger your data file, the more space you’ll probably get back. Compacting your Outlook data files not only help you save disk space, but may also improve the performance of Outlook.
How far back does Outlook save emails?
The default period for your Draft and Inbox items is six months, and three months for your Sent Items, but you can change these periods using the Clean out items older than option. Archive or delete old items You must choose this option if you want AutoArchive to delete some or all items when they expire.