Create New PST File in Outlook

Updated on August 22, 2024 by Nasir Khan

Outlook is a very well-known email client used by a vast number of users. As a desktop email client, Microsoft Outlook saves messages and other information in Outlook data files OST and copies in PST. OST (Offline Storage Table) stores a carbon copy of Outlook mailbox items on the user's system. The full abbreviation of PST is Personal Storage Table. A PST file saves user emails, connections, events, calendars, and other items on the local drive.

As a result, the PST data is only available through the Outlook configuration on the system wherever it is kept. Users can convert OST to PST as per their requirements. Fortunately, PST files can be transferred to a separate computer system using a portable device (like an external hard drive).

Why is the PST file format a favorite among MS Outlook users?

• PST files can be moved around, which means they are portable. Portability is one of the most advantageous features that make users capable of storing data on any local storage they wish.
• They may also be utilized to back up Exchange mailboxes and restore user mailboxes from OST documents.
• Microsoft Outlook's archiving feature also saves outdated and unneeded objects in PST format.
• For data security, you also get the facility to put a password on the PST file.
• The recommended maximum size for a PST file is 50 GB, which is quiet enough for users.

How to create a new PST File in MS Outlook?

Various situations arise when users realize the necessity to create a new PST file in MS Outlook is necessary for them. However, the process of creating new PST files is an easy task. But if you are not an expert, follow and create the steps.

1. First, start Microsoft Outlook. Next, press New Items, More Items, and Outlook Data Files.
   
2. Input a name for the new PST file, and then press OK.
   
3. However, if you want to create a PST file that will be password-protected, choose the Add Optional Password.
   
4. Afterward, input a password for that new PST file, validate it, and press OK.

Manual Steps to create new PST file in MS Outlook 2003 or 2007

The previous steps are for the most recent versions of MS Outlook. But if you are using an old version of Outlook, like Outlook 2003 or 2007, then there can be some variety in the steps, and you will find the interface is different from the above. Read the steps as follows:

1. First, run MS Outlook 2003 or 2007, then go to the File menu and choose the New Outlook data file.
   
2. To proceed, press Office Outlook Personal Folder File (PST) and then press OK.
   
3. For now, type "New Folder" and click the OK button.
   
4. Name the file in the name part of the dialogue box titled "Create Microsoft Personal Folders." We recommend naming the file after the purpose it will serve; this will help you differentiate between various files.
   
5. If you wish to use a pin code to secure your document, enter a pin (for security purposes, it will display dark spots) and press OK.
   

Is it possible to create a new PST file in Outlook Web Access?

Many users prefer to use Outlook Web, so the much more commonly inquired question concerning PST file creation is whether or not it can be done using Outlook's web access. Regretfully, it does not. MS Outlook's online interface does not support PST files, but you may archive emails into a PST by attaching them to the Exchange Server using MS Outlook.

Is it really possible to repair corrupt or inaccessible Outlook PST files?

Yes, absolutely. You can repair your Outlook PST file if it has been corrupted and can create new PST file in MS Outlook. Usually, it is now a common issue. Because within regular online activities, many malicious things come into our devices, which can result in PST file corruption.

Besides, there are various reasons, like faulty add-ins, hardware-related problems, software-related problems, and many more. Over-sized PST files are also prone to corruption, hence inaccessibility, which is very common with organizations. But with the evolution of technology, experts have found a way to repair corrupted PST files.

Have your PST files been corrupted? What is the best solution to repair them?

There are both manual and third-party solutions to repair PST files. Microsoft has provided a default tool, which is known as the Inbox Repair Tool (ScanPST.exe), to repair corrupted PST files.

Microsoft Outlook's Inbox Repair program is deep within your computer's Microsoft Office installation directory, so you'll have to search for it. After you've found and started Inbox Repair, you must choose the corrupted PST file and click the Repair button. It's so easy. Follow the steps as follows:

1. First, close Microsoft Outlook.
2. If your Outlook version is 2016, go to the following location: “C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16”.
3. From that directory, find "Scanpst.exe" and run it.
   
4. Whenever the program opens, browse to add the desired PST file.
5. Then choose Start, and then the Inbox Repair utility will analyze the PST file for problems. That is going to take some time.
   
6. Check-mark the selection next to "Make a backup of scanned file before repairing" and press the "Repair" option.
   
7. Whenever the repair is complete, press OK to finish the process.

However, the above steps have a few limitations. Let's know about them to better understand the PST repair process.

Demerits and drawbacks of using Scanpst.exe:

• Scanpst.exe works for only simple corruption issues. If your .pst files are highly/severely corrupted, you can face repair failure.
• If you have a PST file of more than 2 GB, this utility will not come in handy.
• You have to add and repair PST files one by one, so having multiple PST files will consume a lot of time.
• In many cases, Scanpst.exe doesn't read some particular items, so you may lose your data.
• Scanpst.exe doesn't work on password-protected PST files. If you have password-protected PST files and you don't know the password, then it will not work for you.

Considering all the above points, there are better methods than this one. Professionals search for an effortless and efficient way to repair PST files. Regain Software has developed an advanced utility named Regain Outlook PST Recovery to answer their needs. You can recover and create new PST file in MS Outlook using it. Let's know more about it.

Highlighted features of Regain Outlook PST Recovery:

• After recovering inaccessible PST file items, you have multiple options to save. You can create new PST file in MS Outlook; other than it, MBOX, MSG, EML, vCal, and vCard file formats are also available.
• This tool quickly repairs and recovers corrupt/inaccessible PST files in a very speedy way.
• It works on any size of the PST file; there is no restriction on adding large-sized PST files.
• Users also get a preview of the items before saving them into a file format.
• You can also add password-protected .pst files for recovery.
• Regain Outlook PST Recovery utility properly maintains the hierarchy. The tool retains the metadata properties.
• This tool is compatible with all versions of Outlook and all kinds of PSTs.
• Users can also do selective item recovery so you can filter the data as per their needs.
• The GUI of the software is simple to understand as it is developed by keeping the user's needs at the center of the development process. Any user without technical knowledge can effortlessly recover the inaccessible PST file items.
• A trial version of the software is also available to download. This free demo version can repair and save 30 items per folder.

How to repair corrupted PST files using Regain Outlook PST Recovery?

• Firstly, install and launch the Regain Outlook PST Recovery. You will get a welcome screen.
  
• Here, add the PST file. To add .pst files, use the Browse button.
  
• After adding a .pst file, you can have a preview of the content present within the file.
  
• Now, select the file format from the available options to save the recovered items. To create new PST file, select PST. Also, provide the destination path.
  
• Finally, initiate the process, and you will get a message that the process has been completed after successfully completing recovery task.
  

So, these simple steps were to repair and create new PST file in MS Outlook.

Wrapping up:

In this write-up, we have discussed all the dimensions to create new PST file in MS Outlook. Also, we knew how to recover and access corrupted/inaccessible file items. For professional and proficient processing, you may use the Regain Outlook PST Repair application to repair corrupted files you cannot access for any reason. PST files that have been repaired can be accessed in MS Outlook, and they can also be migrated to other file formats such as MBOX, EML, MSG, and others. Users must download the free trial version to understand this advanced tool better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q 1. Can we create a new PST file using Outlook web access?

Ans. No. Outlook web access doesn't facilitate users to create new PST file in MS Outlook.

Q 2. I have a bunch of PST files whose items are inaccessible. Can Regain Outlook Recovery Tool repair all of them?

Ans. There is no restriction with the Regain Outlook Recovery Tool on adding and recovering corrupted/inaccessible files. You can recover and repair as many files as you want.

Q 3. Our Organization has some PSTs with passwords. Can we also recover and access items of these password-protected PST files?

Ans. This utility works on password-protected PST files; hence you can quickly recover and access—no password protection issue with this utility.

Q 4. I want to have a trial of the software before making any purchase. Is this possible?

Ans. Yes. A free demo version of the software allows users to check the software before purchasing a license. The trial version allows saving 30 items per folder after recovery, while there is no such restriction with the paid licensed version.

Q 5. I am using Windows 11; is this utility compatible with this operating system?

Ans. Regain Outlook PST Recovery software is compatible with all versions of the Windows operating system. If you have Windows 11, then no worry; this tool will work. This also works for both ANSI and Unicode formats of PST.