The default location depends on your Windows version and Outlook version — here’s exactly where to find them
PST files — Personal Storage Table files — are the local data files Outlook uses to store emails, contacts, calendars, and tasks when using POP3 accounts or local archive folders.
Knowing where they are matters when you’re backing up your email data, moving to a new computer, troubleshooting a corrupted data file, or freeing up disk space.
The default location has stayed fairly consistent across Windows versions, but it’s tucked inside an AppData folder that’s hidden by default — which is why people have trouble finding it.
Here’s exactly where to look.
The Default Location on Windows 10 and Windows 11
For most Outlook installations on Windows 10 and Windows 11, PST files are stored at:
C:\Users[username]\Documents\Outlook Files
This is the default location for PST files created by Outlook 2013 and later. Open File Explorer, navigate to your Documents folder, and look for an Outlook Files subfolder. Your PST files — with the .pst extension — will be inside.
If you don’t see an Outlook Files folder in Documents, the files may be in the older default location used by earlier Outlook versions.
The Older Default Location
Outlook 2010 and earlier stored PST files in a hidden AppData folder:
C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
This folder is hidden by default in Windows. To access it, open File Explorer and type the full path directly into the address bar — or enable hidden items by going to View → Show → Hidden Items in File Explorer on Windows 11, or View → Hidden Items on Windows 10.
Even on newer versions of Outlook, if you migrated from an older installation or have an account that was originally set up in an older version, the PST file may still be in this AppData location rather than the Documents folder.
Find the Exact Location Through Outlook Itself
Rather than guessing which default location applies to your setup, Outlook can tell you exactly where each data file is stored — including any PST files that were moved from the default location.
Open Outlook. Go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings. Click the Data Files tab. Every data file Outlook is currently using is listed here with its full file path shown in the Location column.
This is the most reliable method regardless of which Outlook version you’re running or whether files were moved from their default location. The Data Files tab shows the actual current location rather than where Outlook would put files by default.
Click on any listed file and click Open File Location to jump directly to the folder in File Explorer.
If You Have Multiple PST Files
Outlook can use multiple PST files simultaneously — one for each POP3 email account, plus separate archive files, plus any manually created local folders. The Data Files tab in Account Settings shows all of them.
Common PST files you might find:
Outlook.pst — the main data file for your primary account, usually named after the account or just called Outlook.pst.
Archive.pst — the auto-archive file where Outlook moves older emails when auto-archive is enabled. This is often in the same location as the main PST file.
[Account name].pst — files named after specific email accounts if you have multiple POP3 accounts configured.
Each of these is an independent file and needs to be backed up separately if you want to preserve all your data.
OST Files vs. PST Files
It’s worth clarifying the difference because Outlook uses both file types and they’re stored in different locations.
PST files (Personal Storage Table) are used by POP3 accounts and local archive folders. They store data locally and can be moved, copied, and backed up freely.
OST files (Offline Storage Table) are used by Exchange, Microsoft 365, IMAP, and Outlook.com accounts. They’re local caches of server-side data rather than the primary storage location. OST files are stored at:
C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
OST files are not meant to be backed up directly — the data lives on the server and the OST is just a local cache. If you delete an OST file, Outlook recreates it by syncing from the server.
If you’re looking for backup purposes, PST files are what you need — OST files don’t need to be backed up because their contents exist on the mail server.
Backing Up PST Files
PST files can be backed up by simply copying them to another location — an external drive, a cloud storage folder, or a network location. Close Outlook before copying to ensure the file isn’t locked and the copy is complete.
The copied PST file is a complete backup of all the emails, contacts, and calendar items it contains. To restore from a backup, open Outlook, go to File → Open & Export → Open Outlook Data File, and navigate to the backup copy.
Recommended backup frequency depends on how much email you generate — weekly is reasonable for active users, monthly for lighter users. Losing a PST file means losing everything in it that isn’t on a server, so regular backups matter.
Moving a PST File to a New Location
If you want to move a PST file — to a different drive, to save space on your C: drive, or to consolidate files — close Outlook first, move the file in File Explorer, then reopen Outlook.
Outlook will show an error saying it can’t find the data file. Click OK and when prompted, navigate to the new location and select the moved PST file. Outlook updates its reference to the file’s new location and everything continues working normally.
Alternatively, go to File → Account Settings → Account Settings → Data Files, select the file, and use the settings to update the path before Outlook tries to open it on the next launch.
Finding PST Files With Windows Search
If you’re not sure where PST files are on your system, Windows Search can find them.
Open File Explorer. Click in the search box in the top right. Type *.pst and press Enter. Make sure you’re searching This PC rather than just the current folder — click the search scope in the ribbon if it isn’t already set to This PC.
Windows will scan your entire drive and return every PST file it finds, wherever they’re located. This catches files in custom locations, files created by older Outlook versions, and any PST files you might have forgotten about.
A Quick Reference
| Outlook Version | Default PST Location |
|---|---|
| Outlook 2013 and later | C:\Users[username]\Documents\Outlook Files |
| Outlook 2010 and earlier | C:\Users[username]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook |
| Any version — confirmed location | File → Account Settings → Data Files tab |
The Bottom Line
PST files are in your Documents\Outlook Files folder for modern Outlook installations, or in AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook for older ones — but the most reliable way to find them is through Outlook’s own Data Files tab under Account Settings, which shows the exact current path regardless of where the files ended up.
For backup purposes, copy the PST files to a separate drive with Outlook closed. For troubleshooting, the file path from the Data Files tab tells you exactly which file to work with.
Outlook knows where its own data files are — let it tell you rather than hunting through hidden folders.
Meet Ry, “TechGuru,” a 36-year-old technology enthusiast with a deep passion for tech innovations. With extensive experience, he specializes in gaming hardware and software, and has expertise in gadgets, custom PCs, and audio.
Besides writing about tech and reviewing new products, he enjoys traveling, hiking, and photography. Committed to keeping up with the latest industry trends, he aims to guide readers in making informed tech decisions.