How to Open and View Messages in an Outlook Archive Data File (.PST)
- Once you know where the Outlook archived data file is located on the local or network drive, go to the main Outlook window. Note: this can only be performed using the Outlook client software. Outlook Web Access does not work to access PST files.
- Click File > click Open & Export > click Open Outlook Data File > Browse for the file and select it > click OK.
- Scroll to the bottom of the navigation pane on the left side of the main Outlook window and you should see the emails and folders contained in that archive file you just opened. This will remain connected until you choose to Close the archive file in Outlook or the archive file (.PST file on your computer drive) gets moved to a different folder location.
- Repeat these steps for each Outlook archive file you want to open.
- To Remove from Outlook: In Outlook, Right-click on the archive set on the left side in the navigation pane and choose Close to remove it from view. The .PST file(s) will remain on your computer drive in the same file path as found in step 2 above.
