Create Outlook .pst file from installation on Hard Drive from Old Computer

[homestarmy]

I basically rebuilt my whole comptuer, replacing the old hard drive with a new one, and I still have the old hard drive sitting here.

I am able to move most things over, but I do not know how I can move over all of my outlook emails, contacts etc. I know how they can normally be backed up to a .pst file and then imported, but I don't know how I can accomplish that now.

I tried launching the outlook instance on the other hard drive (connecting to it externally via USB) and it just launched my current instance that is installed on my new hard drive.

Is there any way to do this besides trying to boot from my old hard drive? I assume there would be a good amount of problems because my hardware has almost completely changed (new motherboard/processor etc), but it may work. Although, it would be a real PITA to have to do it that way.

 

[pikachu656]

If you can slave the drive to the new computer you can just pull the pst file out directly and copy it into your new computer. The default location should be c:\documents and settings\username\local settings\application data\microsoft\outlook. If you don't see local settings in your username's profile you would have to show all hidden files and folders and then you will be able to see it. Copy the file to your new computer in the exact same location and you should be back up and running.

 

[RebateMonger]

Assuming we are talking "Outlook", and not "Outlook Express":

Outlook automatically creates and uses a .PST file. These are self-contained. Just locate the old .PST file on the old hard drive and move it to the new PC. Open Outlook and open the old .PST file with it.

 

[homestarmy]

I didn't think a .pst file was created until you did an export, because I searched the drive for *.pst. Maybe I did it incorrectly.

 

[homestarmy]

At first I thought I didn't find it because Application data was a hidden folder and I didn't search in hidden folders, but then I realized that I unhid Application Data on my old hard drive.

This is normal Outlook btw, and I am connecting to a POP/SMTP setup.

I looked in the folder that pikachu656 listed, and below are the files that are there.

outcmd.dat
Outlook.NK2
Outlook.xml
Outlook.fav
Outlook.srs

No .pst file .

There's not one of those on my current hard drive either.

 

[pikachu656]

What version of outlook are you using?

 

[pikachu656]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
At first I thought I didn't find it because Application data was a hidden folder and I didn't search in hidden folders, but then I realized that I unhid Application Data on my old hard drive.

This is normal Outlook btw, and I am connecting to a POP/SMTP setup.

I looked in the folder that pikachu656 listed, and below are the files that are there.

outcmd.dat
Outlook.NK2
Outlook.xml
Outlook.fav
Outlook.srs

No .pst file .

There's not one of those on my current hard drive either.

You are looking in the wrong directory. You were looking in c:\document and setting\username\application data\microsoft\outlook.

The correct one is c:\documents and settings\username\LOCAL SETTINGS\application data\microsoft\outlook.

 

[RebateMonger]

Just search the entire hard drive, including hidden and system folders, for *.PST. It took a minute or two on my 120GB hard drive to find eight .PST files.

 

[homestarmy]

Originally posted by: pikachu656

Originally posted by: homestarmy
At first I thought I didn't find it because Application data was a hidden folder and I didn't search in hidden folders, but then I realized that I unhid Application Data on my old hard drive.

This is normal Outlook btw, and I am connecting to a POP/SMTP setup.

I looked in the folder that pikachu656 listed, and below are the files that are there.

outcmd.dat
Outlook.NK2
Outlook.xml
Outlook.fav
Outlook.srs

No .pst file .

There's not one of those on my current hard drive either.

You are looking in the wrong directory. You were looking in c:\document and setting\username\application data\microsoft\outlook.

The correct one is c:\documents and settings\username\LOCAL SETTINGS\application data\microsoft\outlook.

Thanks. I am so used to going into the OTHER application data folder with my old job. I didin't realize there was ANOTHER one .

I also guess I wasn't checking off all of the right options in my search. I did end up finding it and copied it to my desktop to import.

One more question. If I import this file and I have already setup the same account in my Outlook, will this cause a problem? It will prompt me to overwrite or duplicate items, correct? Anything else I need to be concerned about?

Thank you so much!!

BTW, none of the few people I asked at work knew about this (central help desk doing IT support for colleges), so you guys get a good pat on the back!

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: homestarmy
One more question. If I import this file and I have already setup the same account in my Outlook, will this cause a problem? It will prompt me to overwrite or duplicate items, correct? Anything else I need to be concerned about?

When you do an import, you'll be asked which folders you want to import, and what to do with duplicates.

You can also open up multiple .PST files in Outlook. Open them both, MOVE any emails you want to keep from one .PST to the other .PST, and then close the unwanted .PST file. Make sure that any new emails are delivered to the .PST that you want to use.

MAKE BACKUPS of your .PST files before trying to merge them. If you make a mistake, you can quickly recover and start over. After you've got things like you want them, you can delete the backup .PST files.

BTW, none of the few people I asked at work knew about this (central help desk doing IT support for colleges), so you guys get a good pat on the back!

Your school needs better IT support.

 

[pikachu656]

If you already have emails in your new outlook just do a file, import and it will ask you what to do with duplicates. It will be easier that way. Advise the school to change the name of the office to Helpless Desk. hahaha sorry couldn't resist.