Outlook file locations

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The following is a list of data store and configuration files used by Microsoft Outlook. Some of the folders might be hidden folders. To view them, do one of the following:

Windows XP

1. Click Start, and then click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, click the View tab, and then click the Show hidden files and folder option.

Windows 2000

1. Double-click My Computer on your desktop.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, click the View tab, and then click the Show hidden files and folder option.

Your configuration may not include all of the following files. Some files are created only when you customize Outlook features.

Outlook data files (.pst)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Offline Folders file (.ost)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Personal Address Book (.pab)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Offline Address Books (.oab)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Command bar and menu customizations (.dat)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Navigation Pane settings (.xml)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.xml

This file includes Shortcuts, Calendar, and Contact links.

Registered Microsoft Exchange extensions (.dat)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Outlook contacts nicknames (.nk2)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Rules (.rwz)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

If you upgraded from a version of Outlook prior to Outlook 2002, you may have a .rwz file on your computer hard disk drive. The file is no longer needed and the rules information is now kept on the server for Microsoft Exchange e-mail accounts, and within the personal folders file (.pst) (Personal Folders file (.pst): Data file that stores your messages and other items on your computer. You can assign a .pst file to be the default delivery location for e-mail messages. You can use a .pst to organize and back up items for safekeeping.) for POP3 and IMAP e-mail accounts. You can delete the file.

If you use the rules import or export feature, the default location for .rwz files is drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\My Documents.

Print styles (Outlprnt with no extension)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Signatures (.rtf, .txt, .htm)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures

Stationary (.htm)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Stationary

Custom forms

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Forms

Dictionary (.dic)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof

Templates (.oft)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

Send/Receive settings (.srs)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Message (.msg, .htm, .rtf)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\My Documents