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Where Are Outlook PST Files Stored and How to Change the PST File Location?

Ritu Roy | Featured Forensics How to's Outlook Software Technology Windows | 5 minutes read | Modified on: 26-07-2023
how to find pst file and how to change pst file location in windows pc

An Outlook data file called Personal Storage Table, or PST, is used to store mail items including emails, contacts, attachments, calendar items, etc. When you log in or add a POP3 email account, such as Gmail, Hotmail, etc., Outlook creates the file. The default location for the PST file differs depending on the Outlook and Windows versions. As a result, there isn’t a single route that you may navigate to find the PST file. On the other hand, you can relocate or update the PST file’s location on your system.

This article explains how to locate the PST file location and how to move the location of the PST file to a different folder or drive.

How to Locate a PST File?

The location of the PST file on a Windows machine can be discovered in a few different ways.

  1. Depending on the version of Windows or Outlook, manually navigate to the default PST file location.
  2. Locate the PST file location by using the Outlook option.
  3. To automatically locate all PST files on your PC in any directory other than the default, use an Outlook repair program.

Manually Browse to the Default Location

To find the PST file location in Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or 11, consult the table below.

Outlook Version Windows VersionPST File Location
Outlook 2000, 2003, 2007 Windows XPC:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Local Settings\Application Data\ Microsoft Outlook
Outlook 2007 Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Windows 11C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Outlook 2010 Windows XPMy Documents\Outlook Files
Outlook 2010 Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Windows 11Documents\Outlook Files
Outlook 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 8.1 Windows 10 Windows 11C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Launch File Explorer and manually navigate the path, or copy the path from the table and paste it into the address bar to search for or locate the PST file.

Second Manual Method – Using Microsoft Outlook Email Program

To locate the PST file, you can alternatively follow these instructions based on the version of Outlook that is installed on your computer.

2013–2016–2019–2021, depending on the year

Launch Microsoft Outlook, then go to File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings.

Select the email account for which you wish to find PST by clicking the ‘Data Files’ tab.

Tap “Open File Location…”

A new File Explorer window displaying the PST file’s location is then opened.

In MS Outlook 2010 and Previous Editions

  1. Launch the Control Panel.
  2. Find Mail, and then click it.
  3. Decide on Data Files.
  4. Click Open File Location after selecting the desired email address from the list.
  5. The PST file’s storage location is opened as a result.

However, utilize CubexSoft PST File Recovery software to locate the PST file and export the mail items to a new PST file if you don’t have access to Outlook and can’t find the PST file at its default location. PST files are automatically fetched and listed from the default location by the software. Additionally, it offers the option to locate PST files wherever they may be on your machine.

How Can I Change the Location of the PST File?

By using the procedures listed below, you can change the PST file’s location.

Method 1: Modify the PST File Location via Symbolic Link

Link symbolically or. A symlink is a reference to another file or directory that automatically reroutes an application to the new location. It can be used to modify the PST file’s location without causing any damage.

At the default location where PST was first stored, you can make a symlink file. The following are the steps:

  1. After locating the PST file, quit Outlook and copy the path address from the File Explorer address bar.
  2. You should relocate the PST file, therefore move it to the new folder path.
  3. As an administrator, launch Command Prompt.
  4. Then run the subsequent command from the command prompt.

Method 2. Move Outlook PST File to Change PST Location

Moving the PST file is also possible without setting up a .symlink. To avoid Outlook errors and problems when sending or receiving new emails, you will need to take extra precautions. These are the actions:

  1. Once you’ve found the PST file, copy it, then paste it where you wish to put it. Remind yourself to stop Outlook from running before completing this step.
  2. Open Outlook once the PST has been moved to the new location.
  3. Click OK to navigate to the new place where the PST file is kept after Outlook displays an error.
  4. After selecting the PST file, click Open.
  5. Outlook will launch and show every piece of mail.

It will not, however, sync fresh mail items to or from Outlook. You could stop receiving or sending emails if you don’t fix this. Take the following actions to fix it:

  1. Then click Account Settings under File > Info > Account Settings.
  2. To modify the PST file location for an email account, click the Email tab and then choose that account.
  3. Then select Change Folder.
  4. Click on Inbox after selecting and expanding your email account.
  5. Select New Folder.
  6. Enter any folder name, then click OK.
  7. Press OK.
  8. Select the Inbox folder by clicking Change Folder once more, and then click OK.
  9. Restart Outlook.

Method 3. Utilize the Registry Editor (Expert Users)

This is an advanced technique that experts should employ. When you don’t know how to use the powerful Registry Editor, you shouldn’t use it excessively. Any error when editing the registry key could result in data loss or make your machine unusable.

Follow these procedures to modify the PST location using Registry Editor:

  • To open Regedit, hit Windows + R, and then enter.
  • The following registry key should be located: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook
  • Then select New > Expandable String Value from the context menu when you right-click Outlook.
  • The registry file should be named ForcePSTPath.
  • Choose Modify with a right-click on the ForcePSTPath.
  • Enter the updated PST location path into the Value data field. D: New PST location, as an illustration.
  • Press OK.
  • Shut down Registry Editor, and then restart your computer.

For POP3 email accounts at the new address, your Outlook software will create a PST file. However, it will continue to create the OST file at the default location for accounts connected to IMAP, Exchange, Office 365, or Outlook.com. Make the ForceOSTPath key if you also wish to adjust that.

Final Words

Finding a PST file is not a difficult task. If you are aware of the versions of Outlook and Windows, you can use the table in this article to locate the PST file. To locate the PST file, you can also use Outlook’s settings.

By updating the registry key, making a symbolic link, relocating the PST, and then configuring the new path through the Outlook client, you can also change the PST file’s location to a different drive, partition, folder, or network storage.

If possible, avoid storing PST files on network storage because doing so may cause PST corruption. To avoid data loss due to corruption, you can keep a frequent backup. When PST files are broken or corrupt, you can use an Outlook PST Converter program to fix them and export the restored mail to a fresh PST file, a live Exchange server, or Office 365.