If your online mailbox is nearly full, you can export some items to an Outlook Data File (.pst). You can also use these files to create archives, project files, or backups from any Outlook account. To learn how, see Export or backup email, contacts, and calendar to an Outlook .pst file.

If you use a POP or IMAP account, then all of your Outlook information is stored in an Outlook data file, also known as a Personal Folders File (.pst). You might also use an Outlook data file to backup messages or store older items to keep the size of your mailbox small.

All Outlook Data Files (.pst) and Offline Data Files (.ost) are listed along with the name of the account the files are associated with. If you cannot open your Outlook data file or suspect that the file is damaged, use the Inbox Repair tool (scanpst.exe) to repair errors in the file.

If you want to export all your emails, open Outlook, select Account settings > Account Name and Sync Settings and move the slider to All. Make sure you don’t export your .pst file to a OneDrive location. If you have automatic sync, make sure it's not syncing to a OneDrive location.

In Outlook 2016 and Outlook for Microsoft 365, IMAP accounts use Offline Outlook Data Files (.ost). You can also use an Outlook Data File (.pst) to backup or export items from any type of email account.

Import all of your Outlook email, contacts, or calendar events that you saved to a .pst so you can view them in Outlook.

For POP and IMAP accounts, you might store your Outlook items in an Outlook Data File (.pst). If you want to open or close an Outlook Data File (.pst), you can do that in a few simple steps.

An Outlook Data File (.pst) contains your messages and other Outlook items and is saved on your computer. POP accounts—which is a common type of account you can create when adding an email account from an internet service provider (ISP) like Xfinity or AT&T or Cox—download all of your email messages from your mail server and save them on ...

Click Account Settings, and then click Account Settings. On the Data Files tab, click the Outlook Data File (.pst) for which you want to change the password, and then click Settings. Click Change Password. You will not see this option if you've selected an Offline Outlook Data File (.ost) file.

If you're trying to add your Outlook.com account to Outlook or another mail app, you might need the POP, IMAP, or SMTP settings. You can find them below or by viewing them in your Outlook.com settings.