26 February 2026, 12:44 PM
(This post was last modified: 26 February 2026, 12:52 PM by sanjay210.)
Changing a PST file location without losing data is completely safe if you follow the correct steps and avoid moving the file while Outlook is running. A PST file stores your emails, contacts, calendar entries, tasks, and other mailbox data for POP accounts, so careful handling is essential to prevent corruption.
First, close Microsoft Outlook completely. Do not just minimize it—make sure it is not running in the background by checking Task Manager. If Outlook is active while you move the PST file, it can lead to file damage or data inconsistency. Before closing Outlook, you can locate the PST file by going to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files and clicking Open File Location. Note the path, then exit Outlook.
Next, copy the PST file to your new preferred location, such as another drive (for example, from C: to D
or a different folder. It is always safer to copy first instead of cutting or deleting the original file. This gives you a backup in case something goes wrong during the process. Once the file is successfully copied, do not delete the old one yet.
Now, open the Control Panel and search for Mail. Click on Mail, then select Data Files. Choose the old PST file entry and click Remove. This only removes the connection inside Outlook, not the actual data file. After that, click Add, browse to the new location where you copied the PST file, select it, and set it as the default data file. Close the settings and restart Outlook.
Outlook should now open normally using the PST file from the new location. Check your emails, folders, and contacts to confirm everything is intact. Once verified, you can safely delete the old PST file from the previous location.
If you are unable to find your PST file or Outlook fails to open, a utility like SysInfo PST Converter can help detect PST files stored on your system and even convert them into other accessible formats. However, for simply relocating the PST file safely, the manual method described above works effectively when performed carefully.
First, close Microsoft Outlook completely. Do not just minimize it—make sure it is not running in the background by checking Task Manager. If Outlook is active while you move the PST file, it can lead to file damage or data inconsistency. Before closing Outlook, you can locate the PST file by going to File > Account Settings > Account Settings > Data Files and clicking Open File Location. Note the path, then exit Outlook.
Next, copy the PST file to your new preferred location, such as another drive (for example, from C: to D
or a different folder. It is always safer to copy first instead of cutting or deleting the original file. This gives you a backup in case something goes wrong during the process. Once the file is successfully copied, do not delete the old one yet.Now, open the Control Panel and search for Mail. Click on Mail, then select Data Files. Choose the old PST file entry and click Remove. This only removes the connection inside Outlook, not the actual data file. After that, click Add, browse to the new location where you copied the PST file, select it, and set it as the default data file. Close the settings and restart Outlook.
Outlook should now open normally using the PST file from the new location. Check your emails, folders, and contacts to confirm everything is intact. Once verified, you can safely delete the old PST file from the previous location.
If you are unable to find your PST file or Outlook fails to open, a utility like SysInfo PST Converter can help detect PST files stored on your system and even convert them into other accessible formats. However, for simply relocating the PST file safely, the manual method described above works effectively when performed carefully.