This document explains how to search for an Outlook .pst file and then add it to your Outlook profile. An Outlook .pst file is a file stored on your local computer containing email messages, calendar items and contacts that you have chosen to store offline.
To search for the .pst file, follow these steps:
1. To search for the .pst files:
If you are running Windows 7 or Windows Vista: Click Start, and then Computer. Locate the search field in the top right corner.
If you are running Windows XP: Click Start, and then click Search.
If you are running Microsoft Windows 95 or Microsoft Windows 98: Click Start, point to Find, and then click Files or Folders.
If you are running Microsoft Windows 2000 or Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition (Me): Click Start, point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders.
2. Type *.pst in the Search field, and then press <Enter> or click Find Now. Locate the desired .pst file you want to add to Outlook. Record the location of the .pst file.
3. Close the search window and start Outlook.
In Outlook 2010:
i. Click on the File tab and select Open.
ii. Click on Open Outlook Data File.
iii. Navigate to the location of the desired .pst file that you found during your search above. Select the .pst file and click Open.
In other versions of Outlook:
i. Click on the File menu, and then select Data File Management.
ii. Click on the Add button.
iii. Navigate to the location of the desired .pst file that you found during your search above. Select the .pst file and click OK.
iv. Either type a custom name for the .pst file or accept the default name. Click OK. Click Close to exit the current window.
4. Outlook will now display the .pst folder in the Outlook folder list in the left side menu tree.
Note: If you want to remove a PST file from Outlook, right click on the PST Folder name in the Outlook Folder List on the left side. In Outlook 2010, select Close <foldername> from the menu that appears. In other versions of Outlook, select Delete from the menu that appears. This will remove the PST from Outlook but will not delete it from your system. You can re-add it again later using the instructions above.
