Understanding PST files

PST files (files with *.pst extension) are files used by Microsoft Outlook to store some certain data. PST files (abbreviated from Personal Storage Table) may be represented as a complex of databases that contain your entire Outlook mail, calendar, Outlook contacts, and other data used by Outlook mail client.

If you are using Microsoft Exchange, all Outlook data is delivered and stored on the server. If you don't have Exchange mailbox, PST files are stored on your computer. To locate them go to Start > Settings > Control Panel and double click on Mail - Outlook Mail Setup window will appear. To locate PST files simply click on Data Files button. You may also change PST files location using this window.

Sometimes PST files may reach critical size or become simply corrupted. As a result you can lose your important emails and other Outlook data. That is why it is strongly recommended to back up Outlook periodically to prevent data loss problems. To do that use special backing up program like Outlook Backup. It saves Outlook data files with a couple of clicks and allows you to restore them any time you want.