How to Find Your PST File in Outlook 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide

Finding your PST file in Outlook 2019 is not as daunting as it may seem. PST stands for Personal Storage Table, and it’s where Outlook stores all your emails, contacts, and calendar events. If you need to locate this file for backup or transfer purposes, follow these simple steps, and you’ll have it in no time!

Step by Step Tutorial to Find Your PST File in Outlook 2019

Before we dive into the steps, it’s important to understand that following these guidelines will help you locate the PST file on your computer. This file contains all your Outlook data, so handle it with care!

Step 1: Open Outlook 2019

Open the Outlook 2019 application on your computer.

Once Outlook is open, you’re ready to start the process of finding your PST file. Make sure you have any necessary permissions to access file directories on your computer.

Step 2: Click on the ‘File’ Tab

In the top-left corner of Outlook, click on the ‘File’ tab.

This will take you to the Account Information section where you can access various settings and options for your Outlook account.

Step 3: Select ‘Account Settings’

Click on ‘Account Settings’ and then again on ‘Account Settings’ in the dropdown menu.

This will open a new window where you can manage your email accounts and their corresponding data files.

Step 4: Access the ‘Data Files’ Tab

In the Account Settings window, click on the ‘Data Files’ tab.

Here you’ll find a list of all the data files associated with your Outlook profiles.

Step 5: Open File Location

Select the PST file you want to locate, then click on ‘Open File Location.’

A file explorer window will open, taking you directly to the folder where your PST file is stored.

After completing these steps, you’ll be looking at the folder that contains your PST file. You can now copy, move, or back up the file as needed.

Tips to Find Your PST File in Outlook 2019

• Make sure Outlook is closed before copying or moving the PST file to avoid any corruption.
• If you have multiple email accounts, each one will have its own PST file.
• Don’t forget to back up your PST file regularly to ensure you don’t lose any important data.
• You can also use the search function in Windows to locate PST files by searching for “*.pst”.
• PST files can become large over time, so consider archiving old emails to keep the file size manageable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PST file?

A PST file is a personal storage table used by Microsoft Outlook to store emails, attachments, contacts, and calendar events.

Can I open a PST file without Outlook?

To view the contents of a PST file, you typically need Outlook. However, there are third-party tools available that allow you to view PST files without Outlook.

How can I back up my PST file?

To back up your PST file, simply copy it to a safe location such as an external hard drive or cloud storage service.

Why can’t I find my PST file?

If you can’t find your PST file, ensure you’re looking in the correct folder (usually within the ‘Documents’ folder under ‘Outlook Files’) or use the search function to locate it.

Can I delete a PST file?

You can delete a PST file, but doing so will permanently remove all data stored in it. Make sure to back up any important information before deletion.

Summary

1. Open Outlook 2019.
2. Click on the ‘File’ tab.
3. Select ‘Account Settings’ and then ‘Account Settings’ again.
4. Access the ‘Data Files’ tab.
5. Open File Location.

Conclusion

There you have it – locating your PST file in Outlook 2019 is as easy as pie once you know where to look. Always remember to handle your PST files with care, as they contain your valuable emails and other data. Whether you’re backing up your file or transferring it to a new computer, it’s essential to keep your PST file secure. And if you ever run into trouble or need to troubleshoot, remember that the FAQ section is just a few scrolls away. Now that you’re equipped with the knowledge to find your PST file in Outlook 2019, go ahead and give it a try!