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 the 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”.
How do I open an 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 clean up my Outlook data file?
Click the File tab. Click Tools > Mailbox Cleanup. Select View Mailbox Size, Find items older than, Find items larger than, View Deleted Items Size, Empty Deleted Items folder, View Conflicts Size, or Empty Conflicts to perform your desired task.
What type of files are Outlook files?
Microsoft Outlook uses two file types for holding message, calendar, task and notes data: PST and OST files. PST files are created in the user’s computer for non-Microsoft Exchange accounts, which includes Web-based email and myriad POP and IMAP accounts provided by an ISP.
Why do I have multiple 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.
What happens if I delete Outlook PST file?
Deleting a pst-file
If you want to delete a pst-file from your disk, make sure you have removed the pst-file from Outlook first. If you do not do this, you’ll end up with errors in Outlook could possibly ending up corrupting your mail profile.
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.
Is it safe to delete Outlook NST file?
NST files may grow large in size, which may slow the performance of your computer and cause Outlook to crash. If you delete NST files they are automatically recreated by the Connector add-in. To permanently remove the NST file you must delete the Outlook profile and create a new profile.
Where do I find Outlook files?
You can access this view by clicking the “Files” icon in the bottom-left corner of Outlook. By default, it will be between the “People” and “To-Do” icons. If you can’t see it, but you have a three-dot icon instead, click the three-dot icon and then the “Files” option from the menu that pops up.
Can you open PST files without Outlook?
If your Microsoft Office license has expired and you want to open your PST files without Outlook, you should download an external tool. The free program “Coolutils Outlook Viewer”, for example, enables you to open your PST file without Outlook.
What is the difference between an OST and PST file?
OST is the offline folder created by the MS Outlook and Server to store offline copies of data whereas PST not created by the Outlook or Exchange Server.PST files are friendly for the backup, as you can store them anywhere or can easily transfer from one system to another.
How do I free up space in Outlook without deleting emails?
Some ways you can prevent your mailbox from being cluttered include:
- Archive older items. Put any items you want to keep in an archive to free up space.
- Empty the “Deleted Items” folder.
- Empty the “Junk Email” folder.
- Store attachments outside your mailbox.
How do I reset my Outlook data?
Step 3: Reset the cache of your account
- Open the Account Settings dialog;
- Select the Data Files tab.
- Select the mailbox for which you want to reset the cache.
- Click the “Open File Location…” button.
- Close Outlook and wait for it to be fully closed (just wait 2-3 minutes to be sure).
Where is Outlook data file stored Windows 10?
Windows 10 drive:Users<username>RoamingLocalMicrosoftOutlook. Older versions of Windows drive:Documents and Settings<username>Local SettingsApplication DataMicrosoftOutlook.
What kind of files are emails?
There are several common file types used with regards to email.
- EML format. EML files are the most common type of email files. An EML file contains the raw message content.
- MBOX format. MBOX files are ‘mailbox’ files.
- MSG format. MSG files are the Microsoft proprietory format for saving files.
What PST stands for in outlook?
A Personal Folders file (. PST) is an Outlook data file used to store local copies of messages, calendar events, and other items from your Exchange mailbox. Its appearance closely resembles Outlook 2003, and it can contain all of your Outlook folders, including the Inbox, Calendar, and Contacts.
Why do I have 2 PST files?
It is possible that Outlook automatically created another PST file under unknown circumstances, and that PST file contains some of your email data. Also, regarding your query about PST file size, this size simply represents the size of the emails that you received while using Outlook.
Why do I have two Outlook?
Why Outlook Application Creates Two OST Files – Know Reasons
1. Outlook application creates the two OST files in case if you have multiple IMAP profiles are configured. One is the default profile and other is created by you.If your second OST file is old and or it is associated with a different Exchange account.
Why do I have so many PST files?
The Microsoft Outlook PST file contains all the data for your inbox. If you have more than one email account within Outlook, you will also have multiple PST files. You may well find yourself having to merge those multiple PST files to create a unified account.