How to move IMAP data files

An Outlook user asks:

Without starting Outlook, I moved the IMAP pst from C to D. I hoped Outlook would ask me where the file is. However it creates a new one in the same location. How do I make Outlook use the new location?

That method is used to move *.pst files used by POP3 accounts, it won't work with the IMAP protocol (and is no longer recommended for moving PST files; you should move the PST then point the profile to the new location before opening Outlook.)

While I don't recommend moving the IMAP data files unless your drive space is tight, you can change the default location for IMAP data files. Note: because IMAP syncs with the server, everything in Outlook IMAP account is also on the server so the IMAP data files do not need to be backed up, with one exception: if you have "'(this computer only folders)'", you risk losing calendar and contacts in those folders.

You cannot reuse an IMAP data file with a different profile.

Use ForcePSTPath registry value to relocate Outlook IMAP .ost or .pst  data files, not the ForceOSTPath key.

I recommend using ForcePSTPath with Outlook 2010 and up, not the steps to move the IMAP data file found here. Note: IMAP *.ost files honor the ForcePSTPath key, not ForceOSTPath even though the data file extension is *.ost.

Outlook 2007 and up use the ForcePSTPath registry key to change the default data file path from C:\Users\username\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook. This change will not move existing pst files in your profile. If you create new accounts in your profile (or create a new profile), .pst or IMAP .ost files will be placed in the path entered in the registry.

This key works for for POP3, IMAP, and SharePoint data files but does not affect Microsoft Exchange (including Outlook.com) .ost files; Microsoft Exchange data files can be relocated using the ForceOSTPath key.

Using ForcePSTPath | Reusing an IMAP data file | Move the PST

Using the ForcePSTPath regedit

Use the ForcePSTPath regedit to change the default *.pst path and in Outlook 2013 and newer, the IMAP *.ost path.

The ForcePSTPath key will recreate the pst files used by IMAP accounts in Outlook 2010 and up but not in earlier versions. If you use Outlook 2007, you'll need to move the pst file and repoint the profile to it, following the steps below.

Note: This does not change the path for existing accounts. It works only for accounts created after the key is set. Remember to create the folder you want to store the IMAP pst files in before you set the key.

In Start menu, Run (Windows key + R) or the Start menu or Task bar Search field type regedit and click OK.

Browse to the following subkey in the registry.

In Outlook 2016 go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook

In Outlook 2013, the path is
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook

In Outlook 2010 go to
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook

In Outlook 2007 (POP3, Sharepoint, and default pst files only):
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook

Right click on the key and choose New then click String Value.
String Value: ForcePSTPath with your desired data path as the value data

Click OK and edit the registry editor. If Outlook is open, close it then restart. Newly created data files will default to the location. Existing data files would need to be moved.

Do It For Me

If you don't want to edit the registry directly, you can use one of these text files - you need to edit the path before changing the file extension to reg and double clicking on it to run it.

Be sure the path exists before adding the key to the registry. If it does not exist, Outlook will drop back to the default Microsoft\Outlook location under the user account (and in Outlook 2010 and up, to My Documents\Outlook files for POP3 and additional pst files.)

Remember to use double \\ between folder names in the path in the reg file. (Use single slashes if you edit the registry directly.)

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook]
"ForcePSTPath"="C:\\folder\\folder\\folder\\folder\\folder"

Remember: you need to edit the path name, the save it using the .reg extension (or change the extension to reg after saving). Then you need to double click on the reg file to update the registry!

Reusing an IMAP data file

We receive a lot of questions from people who want to reuse the IMAP data file, either on a new computer or with a new profile. Sorry, this is not possible currently. Only the profile that created the IMAP data file can use it.

Using it in a new profile would not make the process faster as Outlook would re-sync every thing in the data file.

Note: If you download full messages, you can open and view the contents of the Outlook 2010 and older IMAP *.pst file in another Outlook profile. While this may suffice as a backup of the mailbox or an archive, if you need to clean out the IMAP account, we recommend moving messages to a local pst file to insure the full message bodies are downloaded. Outlook 2013/2016's IMAP *.ost file can't be reused (and will be automatically deleted when you delete the account from a profile).

Steps to Move the PST

Note that this method works to move and reuse an IMAP data file in older versions of Outlook but is not recommended with Outlook 2010 and newer. With Outlook 2013 and newer, set the ForcePSTPath registry key then remove and re-add the account to Outlook.

First, close Outlook then make sure Outlook is not listed in Task Manager, Processes tab a few minutes after you close it.

1. Open the profile (Control panel, search for Mail) and click on Data files.
2. Select the IMAP acct and click Open Folder to open the folder containing the PST.
3. Move the PST to the desired location. Do not rename the file Outlook creates a new file in the default location if you try to rename it - you can only move it.
4. Switch to the Data Files window and double click on the account's data file.
5. Now you'll get the 'can't find' error and can tell outlook where to find it.
6. Close the dialogs and you are ready to restart outlook.

Video Tutorial: Move IMAP *.pst