---
title: How to add a PST file to Outlook Desktop
description: A PST file is an offline collection of emails, appointments, tasks etc created by exporting data out of a mailbox.
---

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# How to add a PST file to Outlook Desktop

## A PST file is an offline collection of emails, appointments, tasks etc created by exporting data out of a mailbox.

### **Contents**

- [Accessing PST Files](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#access)
- [PST File Location](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#location)
- [Adding a PST File to Outlook:](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#add) 
    - [Outlook Classic](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#classic)
    - [O](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#new)utlook New
- [Finding the PST mailbox after adding to Outlook:](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#find) 
    - [Email](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#find)
    - [Calendars](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#find-cal)
- [Removing the PST File from Outlook](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#remove) 
    - [Outlook Classic](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#remove)
    - [Outlook New](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#remove-new)

---

**Tip:** Not sure if you're using New or Classic Outlook? See:

- **[Identify which Outlook version you are using \>](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/outlook-id?hsLang=en)**

### **Accessing PST Files**

- **PST files are stored locally** on the computer where they are added and can only be viewed from that specific device.
- **PST files do not sync between computers.**  
  If you need to use the same PST file on multiple devices, you must manually copy the file to each one. Any changes made on one computer will *not* update the PST file stored on another.
- **Do not store PST files in OneDrive or other cloud‑sync folders.**  
  Syncing PST files can cause corruption, performance problems, and continuous sync errors.
- **PST files cannot be opened in Outlook on the Web (webmail).**  
  They are only supported in the desktop version of Outlook.
- **Adding a PST file does not import its contents into your mailbox.**  
  Instead, it appears as a separate data file in the left‑hand folder pane, usually named after the mailbox it was originally exported from.

---

### **PST File Location**

The IT Team will usually save the PST file to this location on your computer:

- C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Outlook\\
  
    - *To get to this folder, copy the folder path above, paste in a Windows Explorer address bar and press enter. %username% will convert to your computer's profile name automatically.*

![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-13-31-1234-AM.png?width=670&height=71&name=image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-13-31-1234-AM.png)

If you are adding your own PST file to Outlook we recommend you save it in the same place as above or a location that does not sync with OneDrive (eg. not Desktop or Documents as these get backed up to OneDrive).

**Once the PST file is on your computer, you will next need to add it to Outlook...**

---

### **Adding a PST File to Outlook**

1. Identify which version of Outlook you are using:
   
     1. [**![Microsoft-Outlook](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Microsoft-Outlook.png?width=32&height=32&name=Microsoft-Outlook.png) OUTLOOK CLASSIC \>**](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#classic)  
        *(Shows **Try the new Outlook** toggle off in the top right)*
     2. ![outlook-for-windows(was mail)](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/outlook-for-windows(was%20mail).png?width=32&height=32&name=outlook-for-windows(was%20mail).png) [**OUTLOOK NEW \>**](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#new)  
        *(Shows⚙️**Settings** in the top right)*
2. In **Outlook Classic**:
   
     1. Select **File** \> Under **Info** select **Account Settings** \> **Account Settings...**  
        ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-18-33-1815-AM.png?width=670&height=303&name=image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-18-33-1815-AM.png)
     2. Under the **Data Files** tab select **Add...**
     3. Select **Outlook data file (.pst)** \> **OK**  
        ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-29-00-6276-AM.png?width=670&height=444&name=image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-29-00-6276-AM.png)
     4. [Skip to step 4 \>](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#step-4)
3. In **Outlook New:**  
     1. Select **File** \> ⚙️**Settings** \> **Files**
     2. Under **Outlook Data Files** select the **+Add file** button  
        ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Feb-03-2026-03-15-20-2791-PM.png?width=670&height=255&name=image-png-Feb-03-2026-03-15-20-2791-PM.png)
4. In the folder view, navigate to the [PST file location](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/add-pst-to-outlook-desktop#location). If the IT Team have saved this onto your computer, copy, paste and enter this location into the address bar:  
   C:\\Users\\%username%\\AppData\\Local\\Microsoft\\Outlook\\  
   ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-34-18-3748-AM.png?width=670&height=376&name=image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-34-18-3748-AM.png)
5. Only PST files and folders will be displayed. Select the PST file you want to add to Outlook.
6. Select **OK** or **Open** and the PST file will be listed
7. Select **Close**

---

### **Finding the PST mailbox after adding to Outlook**

#### **Email**

1. #### In the left folder panel scroll down and your PST file will be shown, usually named after the mailbox it was exported from.
2. #### Select the arrow on the left of the PST file name to expand and show the inbox folders etc.
   
     1. #### If it's a PST file that the IT Team have exported, you may find the email folders in this location: **\[email address\] \> \[email address\] \> Top of Information Store**
        
        #### ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Apr-10-2025-09-10-38-7692-AM.png?width=400&height=692&name=image-png-Apr-10-2025-09-10-38-7692-AM.png)

#### **Calendars**

1. If there's a calendar in the PST file, it will listed under:  
   **Calendars** \> **My Calendars** \> **Calendar - \[email address\]**
   
   **![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Apr-10-2025-09-07-13-9046-AM.png?width=341&height=134&name=image-png-Apr-10-2025-09-07-13-9046-AM.png)**

---

### **Removing the PST File from Outlook**

1. **Outlook Classic:** 
     1. Select **File** \> Under **Info** select **Account Settings** \> **Account Settings...**
     2. Under the **Data Files** tab select the PST file to remove \> select **Remove** \> **Close**  
        ![](https://help.stalbansdiocese.org/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-43-10-0309-AM.png?width=670&height=441&name=image-png-Sep-13-2024-10-43-10-0309-AM.png)
2. **Outlook New:**  
     1. Select **File** \> ⚙️**Settings** \> **Files**
     2. Under **Outlook Data Files** select **Manage** for the PST file to remove
     3. Select **Close file**

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