What is PST?

Microsoft Outlook PST (Personal storage table) is also known as personal folder files. It stores email, contacts, calendar, attachments files, folders, posts, appointments, meeting requests, distribution lists, task requests, journals, notes etc. in one PST file. Outlook PST file provides a centralized storage of all mailbox items stored in a binary format.

You can find PST File at this default location:

Default location: C:\Documents and Settings\User Profile\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Archive.pst

 

PST File Location

The Local Settings folder is hidden by default, to make it visible you can follow these steps:

Go to Control Panel > Folder Options > View tab > and show hidden files and folders.

To search for it, you can click Start / Search / and search for *.pst.
You can also find it within Outlook 2003 and 2007 under the Tools menu / Options / Mail Setup, and click the Data Files button.


To Search Remote Data Backups programs follow these steps:

1. Click the Backup View or Retrieve tab, then wait for the drive to scan;
2. Click the magnifying glass icon in the top right.
3. Enter *.pst and click Find Next.
   

File Sizes and corruption Issues associated with PST files: PST files are susceptible to corruption issues as they become larger than the predefined size. It can also lead to an error while trying to read, delete, send or receive mails.

So, PST file is a very important file of MS outlook which stores all data of the user account. Whenever, this PST file get corrupted or damaged due to improper shut down or malware attack then, accessing the emails and other information on MS outlook becomes very difficult. I am sure now you are aware about the role of PST file in MS Outlook.