Where is my Outlook "PST" file located?

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It's very simple. You'll need to copy them to the hard disk somewhere (Outlook won't open them directly from a CD), but you can then do a "File->Open->Outlook Data File" and simply take a look a the contents of each PST.

PST's are not tied to the profile.

Hello everyone. I am so completely upset! I will try to make it short - I had lost all my data (so I thought) - not sure how/why. A friend loaded another version of windows on my system. Then, I talked to someone that knew what they were doing, and I managed to get my data back (believe by changing permissions or something like that). Now I am in the process of backing up all of my data so I can completely wipe out this system and start over (the system is a complete mess). But, I cannot get my .pst files backed up/copied. I have tried everything, including what is already posted here. The last thing I tried was to copy the file to this iomega REV drive I just got. When I try that, I get an error message of "cyclic redundancy check", and then it stops copying. I am so lost as to what to do. I desperately need my .pst files. When I tried to copy if over to my d drive, I got the error message of "access denied". I know the file is o.k. because I pull it up through Outlook just fine. I would truly appreciate any help anyone can offer. Thank you!!!

I'm guessing there's a corrupt sector on your hard disk. Even though Outlook can open the file, it may not stumble into that bad sector until it tries to actually access whatever's in it. A copy of the entire file, of course, would.

A CRC check error should allow you the option to ignore and continue. So I'd at least backup a (possibly corrupt) copy of the PST. Better that than nothing.

The next approach I might take is to, in Outlook, create a new PST on the backup drive (File, New, Outlook Data File...) and then drag/drop items from your old PST to the new one. (Hold shift down when you drop to copy instead of move items).

I don't understand the "access denied" message. Are you sure you have rights to write to the disk you're copying the file to? Make sure that outlook's not running when you copy the file too, Outlook locks it so that other applications, including the copy program, can't read it while Outlook works on it.

Good luck!

I also can't backup my .pst file. It tells me access denied, the file is in use by another process. It tells me this even if Outlook isn't running and I've just fired my computer up.

I'm trying, simply, to copy my .pst file and paste it into a backup folder on an external hard drive.

I should know by now to strap on a helmet before I do something like this w/ microsoft. It saves the pain from banging my head into the desk.

Apparently outlook is still runing, even though it's not visible. Check usign task manger, or process explorer, for the "outlook.exe" process. First thing to try would be to fire up outlook, and then File->Exit and see if all instances go away.

If outlook isn't listed, you might still use process explorer to see who has the file open: http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_find_out_who_is_using_a_file_in_use.html

PST FILE SEARCH

Hi Leo
Hope you can help.
The problem is that Office 2000 in XP is working fine but when *.pst is entered in search cannot find the file.

I have run the file
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\outlook.pst
Through SCANPST four times and it has found no problems.

I have completed the following instructions and opened the Outlook file but still no sign of the allusive PST file.
1. Double-click the 'My Computer' icon on your Desktop.
At this point, the 'My Computer' explorer window opens. Click the 'Tools' menu and select 'Folder Options...'. Select the 'View' tab and select the 'Show hidden files and folders' option in the 'Hidden files and folders' section.

Dave

If your PST file is showing an "Access Denied" message, make sure that the read-only attribute of the file is turned off by right-clicking on the file in Explorer and then selecting Properties.

This has caused me great confusion before.

Hi Leo,
One day I came home and all my emails had disappeared from my outlook. Using the route explained by Steve in his email, I have been able to locate two large files ("archive" and "outlook") which I suspect could be the emails. The funny thing is that no file type is marked. I suspect it is .pst but "properties" does not show any file type. I have not been able to recover the emails either through outlook or scanpst.exe (which finds no errors). I am running several users on the PC and no other profile lost their emails. Any ideas??
Brg,
Jussi in Shanghai

Anyone have a theory why MicroSlop puts the pst files in a hidden folder by default? Logically, Outlook files are user data, and should be in something like "My Email" under "My Documents"

I wonder how many people have lost all their Outlook data when their xcopy or backup commands didn't pick up the pst file in the hidden folder.

Leo,

I found what appears to be an easier way to locate the place where Outlook stores e-mail files. In Outlook 2003 under File, click on Data File Management. It takes you to a screen that shows the path of all connected e-mail folders. Also, the default location for Outlook to store its email is: Drive:\Document and Settings\User(your login name)\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

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