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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 April 8, 2025     96 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.

 

Tools in the Spotlight

PstPassword

PstPassword can recover the PST passwords used on all versions of Outlook, both unicode and ANSI format. Recovers "ghost" passwords that show up after moving a pst file. You don't need to have Outlook installed to use this utility, you only need the original PST file that you locked with a password. Freeware. Version 1.10

Tools

Atomic PST Password Cracker

Atomic PST Password Recovery restores MS Outlook .pst file password instantly, let you see email messages, contacts and calendar stored in your Personal Folders again.

Kernel for Outlook PST Password Recovery

Kernel for Outlook PST Password Recovery is a free tool to recover forgotten password from Outlook PST files. Software takes Outlook PST file as input and does not require Outlook to be installed and configured. It supports password recovery from PST files created in MS Outlook 2010/2007/2003/XP/2000/97.

Mail PassView

Mail PassView allows you to view and recover lost e-mail account passwords and other account information for Outlook and other mail clients. Freeware. Version 1.43

Outlook Password

Outlook Password allows you to recover Outlook PST files' passwords. These PST (Personal Storage) files may be part of your MS Outlook Profile or just independent files - whatever the case, Outlook Password will recover your password. Outlook Password also recovers e-mail account passwords and server settings saved in MS Outlook records. All Outlook versions are supported: 97 - 2016. Windows 10 Compatible.

Protected Storage PassView

Protected Storage PassView is a small utility that reveals the passwords stored on your computer. The passwords are revealed by reading the information from the Protected Storage. Works with Windows 95/98/ME, Windows NT, Windows 2000 or Windows XP. It does not work with Vista. Version 1.63

Recovery ToolBox for Outlook Password

Recovers forgotten or lost passwords for mail accounts and also passwords for LDAP services that the Microsoft Outlook mail client uses in its work. Recovers passwords for password-protected Microsoft Outlook data files (files with the *.pst extension).

Stellar Outlook Manager

With Stellar Outlook Manager you can back-up your important emails, compact large PST file, identify and remove duplicate emails, get back lost password, repair corrupt PST files and even split large PST files. All these functions can be managed conveniently in just a few clicks through a central console.

Stellar Outlook Password Recovery

Professional Outlook password recovery software that easily recovers Outlook password and enables you to unlock your password-protected PST files. The software supports password recovery for MS Outlook 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003, 2002, and 2000. Works well on Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista, Server 2003, XP, and 2000.

Remove a password from an Outlook *.pst File was last modified: April 8th, 2025 by Diane Poremsky

Related Posts:

  • To Secure Your Personal Folders (*.pst) File
  • How to Compact the Data File When you Close Outlook
  • open file location from settings
    Where is Outlook's PST file?
  • Using a Windows Server roaming profile with Microsoft Outlook.
    Roaming Profiles and Multiple Users

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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Chris (@guest_220994)
March 21, 2024 10:49 am
#220994

Hi does pstpassword work for Outlook 2019?

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Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Chris
March 21, 2024 8:41 pm
#220996

It's for the pst file - not specific Outlook versions. It works with all versions of outlook.

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0
Reply
Graham (@guest_220701)
October 30, 2023 2:00 am
#220701

I have an Office Home and Business 2021 and sadly put in a password which I wrote in a diary BUT I must have made an entry mistake in a 11 character password if I hit all the buttons. Now I cant backup my emails.

0
0
Reply
Diane Poremsky(@diane-poremsky)
Author
Reply to  Graham
March 21, 2024 8:41 pm
#220997

use pstpassword or one of the other uilities to display the password.

0
0
Reply
ab ha (@guest_218849)
November 2, 2021 3:56 am
#218849

Worked for me pstpassword reset.

0
0
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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0
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.

0
0
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
0
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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Reply
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

3
0
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