The articles in this section cover the configuration and maintenance of Outlook. This includes what files Outlook uses and where they are stored: Outlook Backup and Dual-Boot File locations
See Converting Addresses and Converting Messages and Calendars explain how to convert to and from other mail, calendar, and address books and include lists of programs that will make the conversions go smoothly.
Setup | Import/Export | Housekeeping | Moving to a New Computer | Offline Folders | Operating System Issues | More Information
Setup
Import/Export
- Converting Addresses and Messages
- Converting Addresses to or from Outlook
- Converting Outlook Messages and Calendars
- How to move email from another program to Outlook
Housekeeping
- Command Line Switches for Outlook 2013 & 2016
- Command Line Switches Tutorial
- Command Lines Switches for Outlook 2010
- Housekeeping and Message Management: Outlook
- How to locate, read, or recover items archived using AutoArchive
- How to repair a damaged Outlook Personal Folders file (pst)
- How to use Outlook's Command Line Switches
- To Secure Your Personal Folders (*.pst) File
Moving to a New Computer
- Deliver All POP3 Accounts to One Outlook Inbox
- How to move IMAP data files
- Move an Outlook Personal Folders .pst File
- Moving Outlook to a New Computer
- Outlook Backup and Dual-Boot File locations
Offline Folders
Operating System Issues
Automatically Cleanup Outlook's Deleted Item and Junk Email Folders
Use the 'empty deleted items on exit' option built into Outlook to empty the Deleted Items folder, or use AutoArchive to delete Junk email and deleted items as they age.
Converting Addresses and Messages
One of the obstacles to trying a new e-mail program is the formidable task of converting old messages and address books to the new application's format. The pages listed below offer guides to conversion utilities and methods not just for Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Outlook, but lots of other e-mail programs, too, both for addresses
To Secure Your Personal Folders (*.pst) File
How to password-protect Microsoft Outlook data files so other people can't read your email or view your calendar or contacts.
Use PowerShell to backup Outlook PST files
How to use PowerShell to create a backup copy of your Microsoft Outlook PST files.
How to move IMAP data files
How to move an Outlook pst file used by an IMAP account or the ost file used by Outlook 2013 IMAP and EAS accounts. . Instructions include steps to move the pst or use the ForcePSTPath registry key.
Backup Outlook Data Files using a Batch (.bat)
How to use a batch file to backup Microsoft Outlook personal files (*.pst). Includes sample batch files.
Online Services in Outlook: Gmail, Yahoo, iCloud, AOL, GoDaddy
How to configure email accounts in Outlook, including Gmail, Hotmail, Godaddy, and Yahoo email. We have a list utilities that work with some web-based email services.
Changing the default *.pst and *.ost data file sizes
The default size of a Unicode pst or ost is 20 GB (Microsoft Outlook 2003 or 2007) and 50 GB for Outlook 2010. While this size is fine for most people, it can be raised (or lowered) by editing the registry.
How to Compact the Data File When you Close Outlook
It’s possible to configure Outlook to automatically compact the pst every time you close Outlook. This can be useful to users who deal with sensitive data and need to ensure messages can’t be recovered as compacting removes all traces of deleted messages, making it impossible to recover the mail.
Converting Outlook Messages and Calendars
How to convert Email and Calendar to or from Microsoft Outlook format.