How to Import Outlook Settings

Outlook is an email client application provided by Microsoft as part of the Office suite. It is one of the most popular email clients, especially in the business world because of its integration with the Microsoft Exchange email server. If you find yourself moving to a new computer, Outlook backs up your files and settings to a .pst file. Transfer this .pst file to the new computer via disc or USB flash drive and you can easily import your settings and files into the new instance of Outlook.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Outlook
• .pst Outlook backup file
• USB flash drive

Instructions

1. Open the Windows Control Panel, via Start menu. Select “Mail” and click “Show Profiles.” Make sure Outlook isn’t running. Select the profile you wish to back up and move; select “Properties.” Select “Data Files.” Select “Personal Folders Service.” Click “Settings” to view the path of the .pst file.

2. Open this file path in Windows Explorer and copy the .pst file to a USB flash drive to transfer to the new Outlook installation.

3. Connect the USB flash drive that contains the backed up .pst file. Drag the .pst file from the USB flash drive to the desktop, allowing the necessary time for the file to copy.

4. Open Microsoft Outlook on the new computer. Select “File” > “Import and Export.” Select “Import from another program,” click “Next” and select “Personal Folder File.”

5. Navigate to the .pst file on your desktop. Click “Next.” Select the highest option for import to import everything contained within the .pst file. Click “Finish” to begin importing all the data, files and settings. It may take a few minutes to completely process and import everything.

References

• Microsoft: How to Manage PST Files