How to Create a PST File in Outlook

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This wikiHow teaches you how to compile copies of all your messages, calendar events, and other items in a PST (Personal Storage Table) file in Microsoft Outlook, and save this data file to your computer for your own archives.

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Open the Outlook app on your computer. The Outlook icon looks like an "O" and a white envelope. You can find it on the Start menu, or on your desktop.

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Click the Home tab on the top-left. This button is located in the upper-left corner of the app window. It will open your main tools on the toolbar ribbon.

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Click New Items on the Home toolbar. You can find this button on the far-left of the toolbar ribbon. It will open a drop-down menu.

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Hover over More Items on the drop-down menu. This will expand the menu, and show more options on the right.

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Select Outlook Data File on the More Items menu. This will open a pop-up window titled "New Outlook Data File."

Outlook data file (.pst) in the pop-up window." width="460" height="347" />

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Select Outlook data file (.pst) in the pop-up window. When this option is selected, you can create and save a new PST data file from your mailbox.

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Save your new PST data file. Select a saving location in the file explorer window, and click OK to save your new file.

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Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Please provide your name and last initial Thanks for submitting a tip for review! The Mac version of Outlook isn't capable of creating PST files. Advertisement