How to change the default PST location/path registry in Outlook?
In Microsoft Outlook, the data files (.pst and .ost) are central to storing your emails, contacts, calendars, and other important information. Typically, you can find and open the location of these data files using the Open File Location command within Outlook itself. However, when you need to manually access the .pst file folder for tasks such as copying, backing up, migrating to a new computer, or organizing your email archives, locating these files can often feel cumbersome or confusing. Fortunately, Outlook allows you to set a custom default path for new .pst files by modifying its registry settings.
This article offers a detailed guide to help you change the default PST location/path registry in Outlook, making the creation and management of email data files more streamlined and suited to your needs.
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Customizing the default location or path for PST/OST files in Microsoft Outlook via the Registry Editor requires careful step-by-step attention. By following these instructions, you can ensure Outlook saves new data files to your preferred directory from now on.
Begin by making sure you have appropriate administrative permissions on your computer, as modifying the Windows registry can directly affect how your applications function. It's also a good practice to back up the registry before making any changes to prevent unintended system issues.
1. Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard simultaneously to open the Run dialog box. In the window that appears, type regedit into the Open field, then click OK to proceed. This will launch the Registry Editor.
2. When prompted by the User Account Control dialog box, confirm your intent by clicking the Yes button. This security step ensures that only authorized users make changes to the system registry.
3. Once inside the Registry Editor, navigate to the Outlook registry key following the path that matches your version of Outlook:
- Outlook 2016-2021 and Outlook 365: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook
- Outlook 2013: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Outlook
- Outlook 2010: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Outlook
- Outlook 2007: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\12.0\Outlook
To confirm the correct location, be sure to match both the Office version number and the path structure. Incorrectly setting the registry key can result in Outlook failing to locate your data files.
4. Next, you will create a new registry value to designate your preferred default folder for new PST files. Click Edit in the menu bar, then select New and choose Expandable String Value. Name this new value ForcePSTPath (ensure there are no spelling errors or extra spaces in the name for it to work properly).
Tip: If you wish to change the default location for .ost files created by Exchange accounts, follow the same steps but name the value ForceOSTPath instead. This is particularly useful in corporate settings where OST file placement may need to comply with IT and backup policies.
5. Double-click the ForcePSTPath value you just created to open the Edit String dialog. Enter your custom target folder path into the Value data field, for example, C:\OutlookData or a location on your network drive (ensure the folder exists and is accessible to avoid errors). Click the OK button to apply the change. Double-check that the path is entered correctly and without trailing spaces for optimal results.
6. After setting your preferred location, close the Registry Editor to finalize the changes. Restart Microsoft Outlook to ensure the new registry settings take effect.
From this point onward, whenever you create a new Outlook data file (.pst file), Outlook will prompt you to save it in your specified default location, streamlining file management and backup procedures.
Additional information and precautions:
• This registry adjustment only governs the default location for newly created .pst files. It does not retroactively change the storage path of any pre-existing .pst files, so you may still need to manually move older files if you wish to consolidate them.
• The method does not alter the default save location for Outlook data files created by IMAP accounts, which are governed by separate Outlook settings.
• Always check folder permissions and available space in your chosen destination. Outlook may fail to create files in locations lacking proper access rights.
• If you receive an error or Outlook does not save new PST files in your specified folder, review the spelling of your registry value name and path.
• Consider keeping a record of your custom Outlook data file paths for easier maintenance and troubleshooting in the future.
Should you encounter issues like Outlook not starting, data files not appearing in the expected location after a registry change, or access denied errors, you may need to double-check permissions or restore your registry settings from a backup. Periodically reviewing registry values helps ensure continued Outlook reliability.
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