What do you understand by PST File Format?

PST is a file format of outlook & it used to store archived items. These files are used to hold personal information used by Microsoft outlook and exchange. PST file information may include contacts, addresses, email folders etc. PST is the short name of “Personal Storage Table”. PST is a file format of outlook & it used to store archived items. These file format are used to stored personal information used by Microsoft outlook and exchange. PST file information may include contacts, addresses, email folders etc. PST is the short name of “Personal Storage Table”. It is the most common format used by the window version of outlook to receive and store emails. The main benefits of PST file is that you can access your emails offline, you don’t need to connected your email server. This file format is available for all non exchange email accounts such as IMAP or POP3. But, In outlook (97-2002) PST file format does not support Unicode characters for your mailbox items & it provide less storage capacity. Now a days, new outlook version compatible with old data file format.

PST file format

List of Application that open a PST file

Microsoft Office Outlook
Microsoft Outlook Express

How to open PST File Format?

STEP1: Go to PST file, right click on this file.
STEP2: Select Open with option.
STEP3: Select the compatible application that open PST file. (If compatible application not available to open PST format file, So go to STEP 4)
STEP4: Use PST viewer tool to open PST format file without the need of email client.
STEP4: Use PST viewer tool to open PST format file without the need of email client.

Types of PST File

Generally, PST file divided into two types:-

ANSI: In ANSI Case, PST file are created in Microsoft Outlook 2002 & later editions with 2GB size limitation.

UNICODE: In unicode case, PST files are created in Microsoft Outlook 2003 and earlier latest editions

Microsoft Outlook 2010 & 2013 – 50GB (It is not permanently, depends on window registry changes)
Microsoft Outlook 2003 & 2007 - 20GB

Location of PST File

In Windows 2000 or Windows XP- c:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
In Windows Vista or 7/8- C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Common Reasons of PST File Corruption

Failure of Hardware- It include power failure, storage device failure, network link problem etc. First, the remote access of a PST file exposes it to damage particularly if there are problem in the network link including the network hubs, server, routers & other hardware within the link, so due to this reasons PST file may be corrupt.

Due to software problem- In software problem many type of issues like virus attack, improper Microsoft outlook shutdown. In these include lack of expertise in the file recovery, faulty recovery tools and methods.

Harmful malware and virus attack- Malware and virus attack also increase chances to increase PST file. To deal with this issue, use the trustable tools.

Move a PST File to a different location & also import it:

Move PST file in different location- Firstly, find PST file after this process Copy a PST file and paste in desired location.

Import

STEP1: Go to Tools option.
STEP2: Select Mail setup option.
STEP3: Now click on Email Account option.
STEP4: Last step, click Add PST file.
STEP5: Ok

How to Encrypt PST File

Encrypt PST File

STEP 1: Open Microsoft outlook.
STEP 2: Open File Tab and click on it.
STEP 3: Go to Account Settings option.
STEP 4: Select the Data file option and click on it.
STEP 5: Click the any PST file that you wish to encrypt.
STEP 6: Now, Go to setting option & click on it.
STEP 7: Select the change password option and enter the password to encrypt a PST file.
STEP 8: Last Step is Click ok button to encrypt the PST File.

Conclusion

In this article, we talk about the concept of PST File Format, list of application that open PST file. PST(Personal Storage Table) is a file format of Microsoft outlook. Also tell us about the way to open PST file its location and ways to encrypt PST file etc.