Secure your Personal Folders file

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To secure your Personal Folders file

Standalone users of Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Exchange/Windows Messaging can password-protect the Personal Folders .pst file used to store all messages and other items. The method depends on the version you're using.

If you only want to password protect some messages and not the entire pst, try OutLock for Outlook.

Outlook 98 and newer | Outlook 97 or Exchange/Windows Messaging | Notes | Tools

Outlook 98 and newer

Right-click on Outlook Today or the top-level folder of another PST file, and then choose Properties. Click the Advanced button, and then click Change Password. Leave the Old Password blank, then enter a New Password and verification. Leave the Save this password in your password list box unchecked. This prevents the password from being cached. You will need to type it each time you run Outlook.

Outlook 97 or Exchange/Windows Messaging

Choose Tools | Services, then bring up the properties for Personal Folders. Click Change Password. Leave the Old Password blank, then enter a New Password and verification. Leave the Save this password in your password list box unchecked.

This method also works with Outlook 98 or Outlook 2000 in Corporate/Workgroup mode.

Notes

If you check the Save this password in your password list box, you won't have to enter a password every time you use the PST file, but anyone walking up to your computer while you're logged on will also be able to use it.

Tools to crack PST file passwords are available on the Internet, making them less than secure. We don't keep track of such utilities here.

If you use an Exchange Server mailbox, rather than a Personal Folders file, security is tied to your Windows NT login.

Tools

OutLock for Outlook

Password protect individual messages instead of the entire pst.

Updated Apr 09 2008