Outlook 2003 .pst file

[sheila4typing]

I have Outlook 2003 and I need to format my computer and will be reinstalling
the same version, however I do not want to lose my current emails, address
book etc., There has been a lot of talk about what method to use is the
best, import/export just copying and I am not sure which one to use. I asked
this question years ago and cannot seem to figure out how to find my posts to
get my answer.

 

[DL]

http://www.howto-outlook.com/howto/backupandrestore.htm

 

[sheila4typing]

Thanks!
There are various methods on this website and after reading post some work
better than others. Which one works best for getting that info from my
computer and then after format putting it back?

 

[DL]

By simply copying the pst files (with OL closed) to external media.
Doing whatever with your PC, then copying from External to Documents Folder.
After winupdate has completed, installing Office, run MSUpdate again.
Finally configure OL

 

[sheila4typing]

Do I do a search for .pst to find it to copy to a CD? What do you mean by
After winupdate has completed. How do I load it back into outlook 2003 once
I have installed office?

 

[sheila4typing]

I have a copy of the pst, but how do I install it back when I reinstall
outlook 2003?
Thanks

 

[Pat Willener]

Copy it back to its original location, make sure that it is not
read-only, then install Outlook, and specify the file in the Control
Panel's Mail applet (Data Files).

 

[sheila4typing]

Put the PST file in it is orginal location before I install Office 2003? How
do I specify in Control Panel

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Put the PST file in it is orginal location before I install Office 2003?
How
do I specify in Control Panel

Put it in any directory to which you have read/write permission. Then install
(but do not start) Outlook. Use the Mail applet in Control Panel to create a
mail profile and add that PST and your accounts to that mail profile. When
you start Outlook for the first time, it will be configured correctly and
you'll have access to all your old data exactly as it was. If you use a POP
account and you leave messages on the server, all your old messages will be
downloaded again. Make sure that if you were keeping copies of messages on
the server that you configure your accounts the same way when configuring your
mail profile.

 

[sheila4typing]

Thanks Brian!
I think I have this down now but let me verify
Copy .pst file to a media drive.
Format computer/install office
Copy .pst file from media to different location other than the default and
remove read/access.
Outlook - File/Open/Outlook Data Management and select .pst copied.
Outlook -Tools/E-mail Accounts/Next. Bottom left drop-down Deliver new
e-mail to the following location. Select old PST and click Finish.
Stop and restart Outlook.

Two questions: I believe I will have two personal folders after this so the
original one I can close, correct?

Also, I have seen some posts that say you can rename the .pst and some that
say you can. Is there a way to put both .pst in the default location or does
it have to be in two separate locations?

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

I think I have this down now but let me verify
Copy .pst file to a media drive.
Format computer/install office
Copy .pst file from media to different location other than the default and
remove read/access.
Outlook - File/Open/Outlook Data Management and select .pst copied.
Outlook -Tools/E-mail Accounts/Next. Bottom left drop-down Deliver new
e-mail to the following location. Select old PST and click Finish.
Stop and restart Outlook.

If you are configuring Outlook for the first time after reinstalling, it
should be OK to put the old PST in the default location, and use the Mail
applet to configure a new mail profile completely before starting Outlook.

Two questions: I believe I will have two personal folders after this so the
original one I can close, correct?

Correct. If you configure a new mail profile after installing Outlook but
before starting it the first time, then this step won't be necessary.

Also, I have seen some posts that say you can rename the .pst and some that
say you can. Is there a way to put both .pst in the default location or
does
it have to be in two separate locations?

You can put them anywhere you want and name them anything you want. The
waring about putting them in the folder where Outlook creates them by default
is because if you have a working mail profile, overwriting a PST connected to
that profile will corrupt the profile. If you're starting fresh and
configuring a new mail profile, that warning doesn't apply.

 

[sheila4typing]

OK thank you Brian

If you are configuring Outlook for the first time after reinstalling, it
should be OK to put the old PST in the default location, and use the Mail
applet to configure a new mail profile completely before starting Outlook.


Correct. If you configure a new mail profile after installing Outlook but
before starting it the first time, then this step won't be necessary.


You can put them anywhere you want and name them anything you want. The
waring about putting them in the folder where Outlook creates them by default
is because if you have a working mail profile, overwriting a PST connected to
that profile will corrupt the profile. If you're starting fresh and
configuring a new mail profile, that warning doesn't apply.

 

[sheila4typing]

Brian
Since I am configuring Outlook for the first time because of formatting and
installing outlook, you are saying that I can put my .pst file in the same
location as the new one that Outlook will give, however I would have to
rename the one from my old computer to maybe Outlookold.pst (Not sure about
the naming convention) so it does not override? When you say use the mail
applet are you talking Outlook -Tools/E-mail Accounts/Next? If that is the
case, I have to start Outlook to get to those option.
Thank you for your help

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

Since I am configuring Outlook for the first time because of formatting and
installing outlook, you are saying that I can put my .pst file in the same
location as the new one that Outlook will give, however I would have to
rename the one from my old computer to maybe Outlookold.pst (Not sure about
the naming convention) so it does not override? When you say use the mail
applet are you talking Outlook -Tools/E-mail Accounts/Next? If that is the
case, I have to start Outlook to get to those option.

The Mail applet is in Control Panel. Put your old PST anywhere you have
read/write persmission. Open the Mail applet in Control Panel. Click the
Show Profiles button, then Add. Name your profile anything you want. Then
use the Data Files button to add the PST you copied and the E-mail Accounts
button to configure the mail accounts. All this is done without starting
Outlook at all. Once you have the mail profile configured, start Outlook and
it will open just the way it should with all your mail, Contacts, Calendar,
Tasks, etc. available.

 

[sheila4typing]

I formatted my computer and installed Microsoft Outlook 2003 and am ready to
put my outlookold.pst file in the same location as the one that is created
when Microsoft is installed, however there was no .pst file found when I did
a search of my whole computer with hidden files showing, isnt that odd? I
know I can put my outlookold.pst file anywhere, but I would like to put it in
the same location. Any suggestions?

 

[Gordon]

I formatted my computer and installed Microsoft Outlook 2003 and am ready to
put my outlookold.pst file in the same location as the one that is created
when Microsoft is installed, however there was no .pst file found when I did
a search of my whole computer with hidden files showing, isnt that odd? I
know I can put my outlookold.pst file anywhere, but I would like to put it in
the same location. Any suggestions?

Just installing Office will not create a pst file. The first time you
launch Outlook, THEN the pst file is created.
Why would you want to put the pst file in the default location? If you
keep it in your Documents folder then it will be backed up during your
routine backup procedures. ;-)

 

[sheila4typing]

I think because I am so use to copying it there since I do this at home and
work. By the way, I want to create my mail profile and I went control panel
but I do not see anything called mail applet. I believe this is what Brian
was talking about in a prior post.

 

[Gordon]

I think because I am so use to copying it there since I do this at home and
work. By the way, I want to create my mail profile and I went control panel
but I do not see anything called mail applet. I believe this is what Brian
was talking about in a prior post.

If you are viewing Control Panel by Category, the Mail applet is under
Users.

 

[sheila4typing]

I am viewing by icon and then tried details and the only one in there is
Users Accounts. The only options available change or creat an account and
change users logon and off. I am trying to do the below that Brian suggested.
From Brian - Open the Mail applet in Control Panel. Click the
Show Profiles button, then Add. Name your profile anything you want. Then
use the Data Files button to add the PST you copied and the E-mail Accounts
button to configure the mail accounts.

 

[Gordon]

I am viewing by icon

What do you mean "viewing by ICON"? Either you are viewing by CATEGORY
or you are looking at the CLASSIC view. (It should tell you in the top
Left-Hand of the Control Panel Window.