How to add and change password to folders/pst/data files in Outlook?

Let’s say the computer you are using is public, and you share the Microsoft Outlook with someone else. To prevent other users from viewing, editing, or removing your messages or other personal items, you’d better set a password to protect your individual folder or data file (.pst file). And this article is a tutorial about how to add and change a password to personal folders or pst/data file in Microsoft Outlook.

Step 1: Open the Account Setting dialog box:

1. In Outlook 2010 / 2013, click the File > Info > Account Settings > Account Settings;
2. In Outlook 2007, click the Tools > Account Settings.

Step 2: Go to the Data Files tab in the Account Settings dialog box.

Step 3: Select and highlight the data file name you will add a password for, and click the Settings button.

Step 4: In the Outlook Data File dialog box (or Personal Folders dialog box in Outlook 2007), click the Change Password button.

Step 5: In the Change Password dialog box,

1. Enter old password in the Old password: box if you have; if no, just leave the box blank;
2. Enter new password in the New password: box and Verify password: box.
3. It is optional. To check the Save this password in your password list option will relieve you of entering the password every time when you open Microsoft Outlook.

Step 6: Click OK buttons.

By now, the selected file data has been protected with password.

Note: If you did not check the Save this password in your password list option in Step 5, an Outlook Data File Password dialog box will pop up every time asking for password entry, when you open the Microsoft Outlook.

For no entering password in the future, just check the Save this password in your password list option in the dialog box.