Email · .pst
What Is a PST File?
A .pst file is an Outlook data file holding emails, contacts and calendar items.
- Extension
- .pst
- Full name
- Outlook Personal Storage Table
- Type
- Developed by
- Microsoft
Free PST Tools
These run in your browser. Your PST files are never uploaded.
About PST Files
A PST file stores a copy of Outlook items, including emails, folders, contacts, calendar entries and tasks, on your computer. It's used for POP accounts, archives and exports. Files can grow to many gigabytes. The related OST file is an offline cache of an Exchange or Microsoft 365 mailbox. To move mail to a new computer, export it to a PST and import it there.
How to Open a PST File
- Windows
- In Outlook choose File, Open & Export, then Open Outlook Data File.
- Mac
- Outlook for Mac can import PST files with File, Import.
PST File Questions
How do I back up Outlook emails to a PST?
Choose File, Open & Export, Import/Export, then Export to a file and Outlook Data File (.pst).
What's the difference between PST and OST?
PST is a standalone data file you can move and import. OST is a cache of a server mailbox that works only with that account.