How to create a new personal folder (.pst) file for an Internet Mail Only (IMO) e-mail account in Outlook 2000

This article describes how to create or open a new default personal folder (.pst) file for an Internet Mail Only (IMO) e-mail account.

If your personal folder (.pst) file is moved, renamed, or becomes damaged, you need to point to its new location or create a new one. Outlook IMO prompts you during startup if the personal folder (.pst) file cannot be found or its file name is not recognized.

How to Create a New Personal Folder (.pst) File

1. Click Start, point to Find, and click Files Or Folders.
2. In the Named box, type *.pst.
3. In the Look In box, click My Computer, and then click Find Now.
   
   NOTE: The folder may have a name like: Outlook.pst, Mailbox.pst, or <username>.pst.
4. Right-click the personal folder (.pst) file, and then click Rename on the shortcut menu.
5. Type a new file name, and then press ENTER.
6. Click Close.

How to Create or Open a New Personal Folder (.pst) File

Method 1

1. Start Outlook. If you receive a message that your personal folder (.pst) file could not be found, click OK.
2. Type a name for the file if you need to create a new one, or locate the folder where the new personal folder (.pst) file is located, click the personal folder (.pst) file, and then click Open.

Method 2

1. On the File menu, point to New, and then click Personal Folders File (.pst).
2. Type the name of your new personal folder (.pst) file, verify and change the file location if necessary, and then click Create.
   
   NOTE: Do not use the name Mailbox.pst.
3. Verify and change the information if necessary, and then click OK.
4. If the Folder List does not appear, click Folder List on the View menu.
5. Right-click the new personal folder (.pst) file, click Properties for <Personal Folders>, click Deliver POP mail to this personal folders file, and then click OK.
6. On the File menu, click Exit.
7. Restart Outlook.
8. In the Folder List, right-click the personal folder (.pst) file that is not associated with Outlook Today, click Properties, click Advanced, and verify that the path of this file is different than the one you created in step 2.
9. Click OK twice.
10. In the Folder List, right-click the personal folder (.pst) file that is not associated with Outlook Today, and then click Close Personal Folders Name.
    
    NOTE: This closes the connection between Outlook and the folder, but it does not delete it.

Method 3

Use these steps if you cannot start Outlook:

1. Click Start, point to Find, and click Files Or Folders.
2. In the Named box, type *.pst.
3. In the Look In box, click My Computer, and then click Find Now.
4. Click the file, and then click Rename on the File menu to change the file name extension to .psx. Repeat this for each file found, and then close the Find Files dialog box.
5. Start Outlook.
6. Click OK when you receive the following message:
   The file <filename>.pst could not be found.
7. Type a name for your new personal folders (.pst) file, and then click OK.
8. Click Yes when you receive the message that tells you that the location messages delivered has changed.

For additional information about how to set up new accounts, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: