Moving to a new computer

[Ken W]

I'm trying to move my Outlook 2003 data file (Outlook.PST) to my new computer
using Outlook 2007 with Windows 7. However, when I try to open the data file
and point to it in the right location, it seems to keep opening up a new file
that I had already created sort of by accident when I was setting up the
computer. My question is, I want to open up my old data file on my new
computer, but I don't know how.

 

[Russ Valentine]

The instructions are not complicated.
In Outlook: File > Open > Outlook Data File...
Since you already created an Outlook profile, it created a new, blank PST
file--which of course you don't need and never did. But Microsoft thought
you did and thoughtfully made it your new default PST file. So once you open
the PST file you wanted to use all along, just set it as your default,
restart Outlook, and close the empty PST file Microsoft thought you needed.

 

[Ken W]

Outlook is not letting me close the personal folder it created. When I open
my real file, only the archive file is opened, but not the personal folder.
Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[Russ Valentine]

Not without any information. Provide some.

 

[Ken W]

When I open the file I want, it retains the current folders from the new
file. It only opens the archive from the new file. I'm assisting a
coworker, this is not my computer. I guess I'm not sure how Outlook works.
Question: is the archive file and current folders stored in the same PST file
or are they separate? Possibly, I only have the archive file, and I'm
opening that on the new computer. Just a thought.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

When I open the file I want, it retains the current folders from the new
file. It only opens the archive from the new file. I'm assisting a
coworker, this is not my computer. I guess I'm not sure how Outlook works.
Question: is the archive file and current folders stored in the same PST
file
or are they separate? Possibly, I only have the archive file, and I'm
opening that on the new computer. Just a thought.

Archive PSTs are separate from the active PST. Usually, archive PSTs are
named "Archive.PST", but it's not a requirement. I think you did copy only
the archive PST from the old PC.