Are you having difficulty finding the files stored in Microsoft Outlook? You’re not alone! Many people find themselves frustrated with the mystery of where Outlook files are located.
Fortunately, the answers are revealed in this article! We’ll discuss the two types of Outlook files–PST and OST–and how to locate them in Outlook 2016, 2013, 2007, and 2003.
Read on to learn more and finally unlock the secret of where Outlook files are stored.
Table of Contents
Short Answer
Microsoft Outlook stores its data in the form of PST (Personal Storage Table) files, which are saved on your computer’s hard drive.
The default location for these files is the “Documents\Outlook Files” folder.
However, the exact location of the PST files can be changed depending on the version of Outlook you are using.
Additionally, you can also store Outlook data files on an external hard drive or cloud storage.
What are PST and OST Files?
PST and OST files are two different types of files used by Microsoft Outlook to store data.
PST files are the primary file type used to store a variety of items, such as emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, and more.
OST files, on the other hand, are used to store data when Outlook is used with a Microsoft Exchange account.
Both types of files are stored in the users Documents folder on their computer, though the exact location of these files is dependent on the version of Outlook being used.
PST files are the most commonly used file type by Outlook, and are used to store emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, notes, and other items.
PST files are stored in an open file format, meaning they are easily accessible and can be imported into other email programs.
OST files, on the other hand, are used to store data when Outlook is used with a Microsoft Exchange account.
OST files are stored in a proprietary file format and are not as easily accessible as PST files.
Its important to note that the location of these files may vary depending on the version of Outlook being used.
For example, in Outlook 2007 and earlier versions, files are stored in the My Documents folder.
In Outlook 2010 and later, files are stored in the My Documents\Outlook Files folder.
Its also important to note that these files may be stored in a different location if the user has manually changed the file location.
In conclusion, Microsoft Outlook stores its data in two different file types: PST and OST. PST files are the primary data file type used by Outlook, and are used to store emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, and other items. OST files are used to store data when Outlook is used with a Microsoft Exchange account. Generally speaking, PST and OST files are stored in the user’s Documents folder on their computer, though the exact location of these files is dependent on the version of Outlook being used.
Where Are PST Files Stored?
When it comes to Microsoft Outlook file storage, the first type of file to consider is PST, which stands for Personal Storage Table.
PST files are the primary data file type used by Outlook, and they store emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, and other items.
Generally speaking, PST files are stored in the user’s Documents folder on their computer.
However, the exact location of these files is dependent on the version of Outlook being used.
For Outlook versions 2007 and earlier, PST files can be found in the Documents and Settings folder. For Outlook versions 2010, 2013, and 2016, PST files are stored in the following directory: C:\Users\[User Name]\Documents\Outlook Files. For Outlook 2019 and Office 365 users, PST files can be found in the following directory: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
It’s important to note that PST files are not stored in the same location by default.
Users can change the location of their PST files by going into the Account Settings page in Outlook and selecting the Data Files tab.
From there, users can select the “Add” button to choose a new location for their PST files.
It’s also possible to move an existing PST file to a different location on the computer by clicking the “Open File Location” button on the Data Files tab.
It’s also important to note that PST files are typically hidden folders, and users must enable the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option in their computer’s View settings in order to view the files.
This can be done by going to the View tab in Windows Explorer and checking the box next to the “Hidden items” option.
Where Are OST Files Stored?
When using Microsoft Outlook with a Microsoft Exchange account, data is stored in a type of file called OST (offline storage table).
These files are stored in the same location as PST files, usually in the user’s Documents folder on their computer, but the exact location can vary depending on the version of Outlook being used.
For Outlook 2010 and later, the OST files are usually stored in the following directory: C:\Users\[User Name]\My Documents\Outlook Files. For Outlook 2007, the files can be found in the following location: C:\Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook.
When using Outlook in a corporate environment, the OST files are usually stored on the server, which can make them more secure and easier to backup.
Additionally, if Outlook is configured to use a Microsoft Exchange account, the OST files are stored on the server, which can help users access their data from any computer or device.
When setting up Outlook for the first time, the user will need to decide whether to use a local PST or OST file.
If the user is using Outlook to connect to a Microsoft Exchange account, they should choose the OST file type.
The user can also choose to store the OST files on the server, which can help keep their data more secure and backed up.
How to Find Outlook Data File Location in Outlook 2016
For users of Microsoft Outlook 2016, the exact location of the Outlook data files (.PST and .OST) can be determined by accessing the Account Settings in Outlook.
To do this, open Outlook 2016 and select the File tab in the top-left corner of the window.
Click the Account Settings option and then select the Data Files tab.
This will open a window that displays all the Outlook data files associated with your account.
The location of each file will be listed with the file name.
In some cases, the location of the Outlook data files may be a hidden or system folder.
If this is the case, you can use the Open File Location link to access the containing folder.
This will open the File Explorer window, which will allow you to navigate to the folder where the Outlook data files are stored.
In some cases, the Outlook data files may be stored in a different folder than the one listed in the Data Files window.
To access this folder, click the File tab in the top-left corner of the window and then select the Options button.
From the Options window, select Advanced and then Advanced Options.
From the Advanced Options window, select the Data Files tab and then click the Open File Location link.
This will open the File Explorer window, which will allow you to navigate to the folder where the Outlook data files are stored.
Once the data files are located, it is important to back them up regularly.
This will ensure that your Outlook data is secure and can be easily restored if needed.
To back up the Outlook data files, simply copy them to a secure location such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service.
It is also important to keep the original files in their original location, as they will be needed in the event of a system failure or reinstallation of Outlook.
How to Find Outlook Data File Location in Outlook 2013
Microsoft Outlook 2013 stores its data files in two different file types: PST and OST. PST files are the primary data file type used by Outlook, and are used to store emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, and other items. OST files are used to store data when Outlook is used with a Microsoft Exchange account. To find the exact location of these files, follow these steps:
1. Open Outlook 2013 and go to the File tab.
2. Select the Account Settings option and then click Account Settings again.
3. Select the Data Files tab.
4. You will see the list of data files associated with your Outlook account.
5. Select the data file you want to know the location of.
6. Click the Open File Location button.
7. You will now be taken to the exact location of the data file.
In some cases, the Outlook data files may be stored in a different location than the default Documents folder.
If you need to locate the file outside of the Documents folder, you can use the Windows Search feature to locate the file.
Simply type in the name of the file you are looking for in the Search box and you should be able to find the exact location of the file.
How to Find Outlook Data File Location in Outlook 2007
Finding the location of Outlook files in Outlook 2007 can be a bit tricky, but with a few simple steps, youll be able to track down the exact location of your PST and OST files. The first step is to open Outlook 2007 and click on the Tools menu. From there, select Account Settings and then click Data Files. This will open a window that contains a list of all of your current Outlook data files. The actual location of the files can be found next to each file in the File column. The path will usually begin with C:\Documents and Settings\[Your Username]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. If you want to access the files outside of Outlook, simply copy and paste the path into Windows Explorer and youll find the PST and OST files. If you are using a Microsoft Exchange account, the OST file will be stored in the same location as the PST file.
How to Find Outlook Data File Location in Outlook 2003
If youre still using Microsoft Outlook 2003, youll need to take a few extra steps to find your Outlook data file location.
The first step is to open Outlook 2003.
Once the application is open, click on the Tools menu at the top of the window.
From here, select the Options option from the menu.
On the Options page, select the Mail Setup tab.
On this tab, youll see a button labeled Data Files.
Clicking this button will open the Account Settings window, where you can see all of the data files associated with your Outlook account.
At the bottom of the Account Settings window, youll see a button labeled Open File Location.
Clicking this button will open the folder where all of your Outlook data files are stored.
This folder is typically located in the users Documents folder.
Depending on your version of Outlook, the exact location of the data files may vary.
The Outlook 2003 data files are stored in a file type called PST.
This file type is the primary data file used by Outlook 2003, and it stores emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, and other items.
While Outlook 2003 does not support the OST file type used by Exchange accounts, the PST file can still be used to store data associated with Exchange accounts.
If youre using Outlook 2003, the best way to find your Outlook data file location is to open Outlook 2003 and go to the Mail Setup tab in the Options page.
From here, you can click the Data Files button to open the Account Settings window, and then click the Open File Location button to open the folder where all of your Outlook data files are stored.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what PST and OST files are, and where they are stored, you can easily find your Outlook data files on your computer.
Depending on which version of Outlook you are using, the location of the files may vary, but you can easily locate them with a few clicks.
By understanding these file types, and how to locate them, you can ensure that you can access all of your Outlook data whenever you need it.