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Remove a password from an Outlook *.pst File

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› Problems › Repair PST › Remove a password from an Outlook *.pst File

Last reviewed on October 23, 2022     92 Comments

When moving a pst file to a new computer, Outlook will often ask for a password. You may not be forgetful - the moving process does something to make Outlook think there is a password. You will need to use a password recovery utility to get the password. (It will likely be a random generated password, not a passphrase or password you would have used.)

When you add a password to a pst file, every time you start Outlook, a dialog box will ask you for the password. Once you enter the password, the contents of the pst will be accessible to anyone who uses your computer while Outlook is open.
enter pst password

If you know the password but are tired of using it, you can remove it or change it and save it to your password list. If you can't remember the password, see Tools for utilities that can show you the password.

  1. Right click on the .pst file name in your folder list.
    Outlook's Data File Property command
  2. Choose Properties (Data Files Properties in Outlook 2010 and newer), then Advanced button.
    click-advanced
  3. Click Change Password button.
    click change password
  4. Type your password in the Old password field.
  5. Leave the New password and Verify fields blank.
    Change the password on a pst file
  6. Click Ok and work your way back to Outlook.

This dialog is also accessible from File, Account Settings, Data File tab. Select the pst file and click Settings.
 

Tools to Recover Lost Passwords

Because these apps can read passwords, your security software or browser may block the download as a security threat. You need to allow or trust the download.

[addins name=lostpw]

Remove a password from an Outlook *.pst File was last modified: October 23rd, 2022 by Diane Poremsky
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About Diane Poremsky

A Microsoft Outlook Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 1999, Diane is the author of several books, including Outlook 2013 Absolute Beginners Book. She also created video training CDs and online training classes for Microsoft Outlook. You can find her helping people online in Outlook Forums as well as in the Microsoft Answers and TechNet forums.

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ab ha (@guest_218849)
November 2, 2021 3:56 am
#218849

Worked for me pstpassword reset.

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Reply
Tea (@guest_214366)
November 23, 2019 4:03 am
#214366

Worked for me pstpassword reset.

1
0
Reply
Chris (@guest_214805)
Reply to  Tea
February 25, 2020 1:31 pm
#214805

Yes me too :)

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0
Reply
Bgr33z7 (@guest_213108)
April 17, 2019 9:03 am
#213108

I am trying to recover a back up pst. When I load up the Nir software, it doesn't show the pst file as an option to recover the password. How do I include it in the initial window?

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Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Bgr33z7
April 17, 2019 3:13 pm
#213110

if a pst is not listed, press F7 (or the File, select pst command) to browse for it.

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Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
July 25, 2016 12:01 pm
#210205
sometimes Outlook thinks a password exists when there is none - most often after a windows in-place upgrade. I recommend using Nirsoft's pstpassword utility (it's free) to get the password outlook thinks you assigned then clear it - more information and links to the program is here - Remove a password from an Outlook *.pst File
1
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Reply
Patti Lloyd (@guest_210204)
July 25, 2016 2:20 am
#210204
Hi Diane...my name is Patti and I have got Outlook 2010 (don't know whether it is 32 or 64 bit) and don't know if the email is exchange server I just put those in the drop down boxes so I could sign up...I'm not a tech by any means!!...my outlook account is on my home computer and my computer technician told me to contact you with my problem and they can vouch for me...I have never set up a username or password on Outlook at all and all of a sudden a box popped up to insert these and I have no longer any access to Outlook at all, I can't open anything...can you help me with this problem?...hope you have the time to let me know...thank you in advance...
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Leng Chhiaylin (@guest_208821)
October 4, 2017 2:37 am
#208821

How can i disable if i forgot my old password

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0
Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Leng Chhiaylin
October 5, 2017 9:12 pm
#208851

You'll need to use a utility to remove it, such as pstpassword from nirsoft.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/pst_password.html

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Reply
jackie (@guest_206611)
May 18, 2017 4:23 pm
#206611

Hi, does the free program work for 2016? it does not include this version in his comments.

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Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  jackie
May 18, 2017 5:01 pm
#206613

I don't think i tested it with 2016, but if it works in 2013, it should work in 2016 as the pst structure didn't change.

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Reply
Helen (@guest_205619)
April 1, 2017 2:16 am
#205619

Hi. I only figured out how to make a backup of my Microsoft Outlook 2010 emails and sub-folders about 2 months ago and already I have forgotten the password and am unable to do another export for safe keeping as a result! I blame all the painkillers I'm on! I have Windows 7. Is there a way that is free for me to retrieve the password I used or to remove it and create a new one? I have already tried 4 different passwords and don't know if I should keep trying or not! Thank you.

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Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Helen
April 2, 2017 1:29 am
#205635

if you password protected a pst, use pst password utility from nirsoft

1
0
Reply

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