The following tutorial shows you how to create a new profile in Microsoft Outlook. The second part of the tutorial shows how to use an existing personal store (pst) with a newly created profile. For best results, always add the *.pst to the new profile before you open the new profile in Outlook.

1. Open the Profile dialog. You can do this from the Start menu or Desktop link to Outlook by right clicking on the icon and choosing Properties (shown in the video). In Outlook 2007 and 2010, you need to double click on the Mail icon in the Control Panel to create a new profile. (Use search or the Classic or small icon view to find it).
2. Click Show Profiles, Add.
3. Type a name for your profile.
4. Outlook 2007 and 2010 supports "AutoDiscovery". This will set up your email account automatically, provided your ISP supports it. If you aren't sure, try it. Enter your name, email address and password and Outlook will try to set up the profile. Most major ISPs do support auto setup.
5. If it fails or if you know your ISP doesn't support it, check the option to create the profile manually. You'll need to enter your account information, account type, and email server names. If you are unsure, check your ISP's support site.
6. After the account information is entered, press the Test Account button. If it fails, correct the problem and try again.
7. While you can click Next and exit the wizard after entering the account information, many ISPs require authentication to send outgoing email, so you'll want to click More Settings.
8. More Settings dialog allows you to set a reply to address, configure outgoing server authentication, and connection information. The Advanced tab is used to set custom server ports, time outs, and whether to leave mail on the server.
9. When you are finished, you can either close the Profiles dialog then double click on the Outlook icon to run Outlook, or add another personal folder to the profile.

Using an existing Personal folders (*.pst)

If you need to set up Microsoft Outlook to use another personal folder (*.pst) do so before you open the profile in Outlook.

1. When you are in the Mail dialog, select the profile and click Properties.
2. You can choose either Email Accounts or Data files, both open the same dialog but to different tabs.
3. Click Add on the Data tab.
4. Select the type of PST you are adding. If you aren't sure, choose the Outlook data type.
5. Select the PST you want to add.
6. Select the PST and set it as Default.
7. Finish the wizard and close the Mail dialog.

Now you are ready to start Outlook.

While this tutorial was recorded using Outlook 2007, the steps are similar for all versions.

Video Tutorial

Articles that may interest you:

Understanding an Outlook Profile file (PRF)

How to Change the Font used for Outlook's RSS...

Changing the End Date on Recurring Appointmen...

Create a Custom View to Show the 'Remind at' ...

Last reviewed on Aug 18, 2011