pst file qa

[Fred Loh]

i am able to install outlook and run outlook (to send and receive email)
without specifying a data file (which i understand is the .pst file). so what
purpose does the .pst file serves and how is it being used by outlook?

when is the .pst file created?

will a .pst file be created if i don't specify a data file?

can i give the pst file (data file) any name i choose and put it in any
folder I specify?

thanks for your help.

 

[K. Orland]

Here is a good beginner's look at the Outlook PST:

http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/aboutpst.htm

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

i am able to install outlook and run outlook (to send and receive email)
without specifying a data file (which i understand is the .pst file). so
what
purpose does the .pst file serves and how is it being used by outlook?

The only time this is true is when you're using an Exchange account. All
other account types require a PST.

when is the .pst file created?

Depends. Usually it's created when the mail profile is created.

will a .pst file be created if i don't specify a data file?

For IMAP and HTTP accounts, yes. POP accounts will require PSTs as well,
but you get to control where those are.

can i give the pst file (data file) any name i choose and put it in any
folder I specify?

Yes and yes, usually.

 

[Fred Loh]

if i use Microsoft Exchange and create a .pst file at the same time, where
will the data be stored - on the exchange server or in the .pst file?

if the data is stored in the .pst file and i move the .pst file of user A to
another pc and set up outlook for user A on the pc, will outlook shows data
from the exchange server or from the .pst file?

 

[Fred Loh]

thanks Kathleen, that's a very useful web site.

Here is a good beginner's look at the Outlook PST:

http://www.howto-outlook.com/faq/aboutpst.htm

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

if i use Microsoft Exchange and create a .pst file at the same time, where
will the data be stored - on the exchange server or in the .pst file?

You control that by specifying the delivery location. Exactly how is
version-specific.

if the data is stored in the .pst file and i move the .pst file of user A
to
another pc and set up outlook for user A on the pc, will outlook shows
data
from the exchange server or from the .pst file?

Depends. If you configure the mail profile to contain both a PST and an
Exchange account., you'll see data from both. If you configure only the
Exchange account, you'll see that data. If you configure only the PST,
you'll see the data it conatins.

 

[Fred Loh]

last 2 questions

- if i create in outlook a folder and move my inbox messages to this folder,
will this folder and its content be stored in exchange or in the .pst file?

- i am using outlook 2003. how do i specify the delivery location.

 

[Brian Tillman [MVP - Outlook]]

last 2 questions

- if i create in outlook a folder and move my inbox messages to this
folder,
will this folder and its content be stored in exchange or in the .pst
file?

Depends on the root where you create it. If you create it under the
Exchange mailbox, it will be on the server. If you create it under a PST,
it will be in the PST.

- i am using outlook 2003. how do i specify the delivery location.

Click Tools>E-mail Accounts>Next. There will be a drop-down at the lower
left entitled "Delivery new e-mail to the following location".