Where Is My Outlook 2003 Personal Folder Stored?

Outlook 2003 has two modes of operation – Exchange mode, whereby all mail is kept on an Exchange server and all other modes where email is stashed in a Personal folder. There is also a mixed mode which is essentially Exchange mode partnered with an optional Personal Folders (a.k.a PST file).

If you’re using a pure Exchange environment, you won’t have the need for a PST file, however most people will. Outlook 2003 attempts to create a PST file in your profile and it is not easy to find unless you know where to look. You might want to backup this file at some point though so it’s good to know where to look. Browse to C:\Documents and Setttings\%profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook and you should see a Personal Folders.pst sitting there.

Note: You can’t do anything with this file while Outlook is open.