Open PST files
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Full nameMicrosoft Outlook Personal Folder Format
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DeveloperMicrosoft
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Popularity
What is PST file?
A PST file is a so-called Personal Storage Table, ie a storage for personal data. PST is a proprietary but open format used by Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Exchange to manage contact information. Microsoft Outlook is a contact manager and part of Microsoft Office. Pst files are data containers that contain, among other things, emails, addresses, calendar data and tasks.
More info
In addition to a standard PST file, Outlook can also manage multiple PST files. Since there are always problems with corrupt PST files, it is recommended to create backups regularly, taking into account that, among other things, account and program settings are not saved in the PST file. To repair defective PST files, the program scanpst is installed with Outlook.
The maximum file size of a PST file can now (from Outlook 2003) be up to 20 GB, before that it was only 2 GB. Very large PST files can cause Outlook to slow down noticeably. Defragmenting the hard disk or archiving old emails can help here.
The free Outlook Express does not use PST files but can import them. Since the PST format is open, other mail programs can also import PST files, for example Thunderbird. Since the PST format has meanwhile been changed several times, problems can occur during import. Unfortunately, most programs rely on Outlook being installed to import a .pst file.
Programs which can open a PST file
In addition to a standard PST file, Outlook can also manage multiple PST files. Since there are always problems with corrupt PST files, it is recommended to create backups regularly, taking into account that, among other things, account and program settings are not saved in the PST file. To repair defective PST files, the program scanpst is installed with Outlook.
The maximum file size of a PST file can now (from Outlook 2003) be up to 20 GB, before that it was only 2 GB. Very large PST files can cause Outlook to slow down noticeably. Defragmenting the hard disk or archiving old emails can help here.
The free Outlook Express does not use PST files but can import them. Since the PST format is open, other mail programs can also import PST files, for example Thunderbird. Since the PST format has meanwhile been changed several times, problems can occur during import. Unfortunately, most programs rely on Outlook being installed to import a .pst file.
Programs which can open a PST file
How to open file with PST extension?
Install Outlook or other program from the list
Most often resolving problems with opening PST files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support PST files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of PST files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.
Set Outlook as the default program for opening PST files
It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate PST files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Outlook applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Outlook has been installed.
Check the section that lists most common problems with PST files
Sometimes problems with opening PST files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:
- File data is corrupted
- PST files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
- Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open PST files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
- PST file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)