Move a Personal Folder (PST file) in Outlook

Find out the name of the PST file and where it is located

1. Run Outlook.
2. In the Navigation Pane, right-click Personal Folders and then select Properties for "Personal Folders"....

   

3. Click Advanced and make a note of the name and location of the file.

   

Move the PST file

1. If Outlook is open, close it now.
2. Within Windows Explorer, browse to the location of the PST file (see above).

   Note: By default, the PST file is located within a hidden folder. To view the file, hidden folders must first be turned on.

   To do this, open the Control Panel and choose Folder Options.

   Click the View tab, and then under Advanced settings select Show hidden files and folders.

   

3. Back in Windows Explorer, highlight the PST file, then from the top menu select edit and then cut.
4. Still within Windows Explorer, browse to a new location where the PST will be stored, select edit and then paste.
5. Next open the Control Panel and choose Mail.

   Note: If the Control Panel is set up in Category View first choose User Accounts, then Mail.

6. Click Data Files, highlight the Personal Folders data file, and click Settings.

   

7. An error dialog box should appear warning that the data file could not be found:

   

   Click OK, and you can then browse to the new location of the PST file.

8. Select the PST file and click Open.
9. Click OK, then Close, and Close again.
10. Finally, restart Outlook.

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