Know Everything about Microsoft Outlook PST Format

Here we are going to talk about what is .pst file extension and how it use and save in MS Outlook. It supports all the editions of Outlook.

Outlook PST File Specifications

Developer: Microsoft
Format Type: PST
MIME Type: application/vnd.ms-outlook
File Hex Signature: 21 42 44 4e
File Category: Email
Supported Platform: Microsoft Windows
Full form of PST File: Personal Storage Table

What is .pst File Extension?

MS Outlook maintains the database in .pst format and .ost format. PST File stands for Personal Storage Table File. The Format of PST file is Text and Binary. The PST file is an MS Outlook Data File that uses to store user’s Outlook items: emails, attachments, calendar events, tasks, contacts, and notes etc. The PST files are mainly created on client’s machine when they configure email accounts in MS Outlook using POP3, IMAP & SMTP Mail Server. Every PST File has the hierarchy of folders which Corresponds to the messages on the mail server.

When the user configures his E-mail account with POP3 & IMAP mail server in Outlook then the mailbox data saves automatically in the .pst format at the local machine.  But for IMAP accounts, MS Outlook 2013 & 2016 stores data in OST file.

Types of Outlook PST Files

There are two types of PST files in MS Outlook. ANSI type PST files and Unicode type PST files. ANSI type PST files are created in Outlook 2002 and later version. It has 2 GB size limitation. A Unicode type PST file is created in MS Outlook 2003 and earlier versions. IN Unicode PST File the size limitation for Outlook 2003 and 2007 is 20GB and for Outlook 2010 and 2013, it is 50GB. PST files are reliable to store MS Outlook data.

PST File Default Locations:-

  • In MS Outlook 2007:- C:\ User\ User Name\ App Data\ Local\ Microsoft\ Outlook\ FileName.pst
  • For MS Outlook 2010:- C:\ User\ User Name\ Documents\ Outlook\File Name.pst
  • MS Outlook 2013 and 2016:- C:\ User\ User Name\ Documents\ Outlook File.

Software required to open .pst file type:-

  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Free PST File Viewer

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