PST file for OL2K vs OL2003

[Mark Flynn]

I have OL 2k running on my old PC and OL2003 on the new PC. Can I place a
copy of OL2000's "outlook.pst" in the folder of my new OL 2003? Are the
..pst files compatible?
Thanks, Mark Flynn

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Outlook 2003 can read .pst files from earlieer versions, but the reverse is not true. Open the old file with the File | OPen | Outlook Data File command.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Mark Flynn]

Thanks Sue:
OK, but what if I just overwrite the OL2003's .pst with the OL2k .pst in the
Outlook folder where the '03's .pst resides? Then launch Outlook 2003?
Will this make a big mess?
What I've been doing is: every month I rename the OL2k .pst after that
month's date, then re-launch OL2k. OL2k creates a new, pristine outlook.pst
and then I copy my contacts into the new outlook.pst. That way, I've kept a
monthly record of my email. Example; 8-01-06.pst.

BTW - your "the Microsoft Outlook 2000 E-Mail and Fax Guide" has been a
wonderful resource for me.
Regards, Mark

Outlook 2003 can read .pst files from earlieer versions, but the reverse is
not true. Open the old file with the File | OPen | Outlook Data File
command.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

If you did that, you'd lose all the data in the OL2003 .pst file that was overwritten. Most people would probably consider that to be a mess.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK, but what if I just overwrite the OL2003's .pst with the OL2k .pst
in the Outlook folder where the '03's .pst resides?

You will corrupt your mail profile enough that you will need to create a new
profile. NEVER overwrite one PST with another of the same name.

Then launch Outlook 2003? Will this make a big mess?
Yes.

What I've been doing is: every month I rename the OL2k .pst after that
month's date, then re-launch OL2k.

You shouldn't be doing that with OL 2003.

OL2k creates a new, pristine
outlook.pst and then I copy my contacts into the new outlook.pst.
That way, I've kept a monthly record of my email. Example;
8-01-06.pst.

Use autoarchive instead.

 

[Brian Tillman]

OK, but what if I just overwrite the OL2003's .pst with the OL2k .pst
in the Outlook folder where the '03's .pst resides?

And I forgot to mention that even if this did work, you'll still be limited
2GB for the PST. Only a Unicode PST can exceed that limit.

 

[Mark Flynn]

Sue and Brian - thank you both.
best regards, Mark Flynn