How to Move My MS Outlook Emails to Another Computer

Transfer Outlook data between computers by copying the PST file.

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager that helps to organize and download emails, organize calendars and record contact details. All information is stored in a specialized file called a PST file. PST stands for Personal Storage Table and is a file extension used by Microsoft to identify these files. Because all of the information, including emails, is stored in the PST file, it is relatively simple to transfer the emails and the rest of the information to another computer. The only requirement is a network connection between the two computers, or a CD or removable storage drive to transfer the file between computers.

Things You'll Need

• CD/removable storage drive or network cable

Instructions

Copy the PST File

1. Turn on the computer from which you want to copy the information. Double-click the Outlook icon on your desktop open the program.

2. Right-click the "Inbox" icon on the Outlook user interface. Click "Properties" in the drop-down menu. When the properties window opens, click the "Advanced" button. This will show you the location where Microsoft Outlook has saved your PST file. Make a note of the location of the PST file.

3. Insert the blank CD into the computer. When the window for the blank CD opens, drag and drop the PST file into the window of the blank CD and allow the copying process to complete. Remove the CD and insert it into the new computer. Click on "My Computer" and choose the CD to open it. Drag and drop the PST file to a temporary location of your choice, such as the desktop.

   Alternatively, if you have a network connection between the two computers, either via a wireless connection or a network cable, locate the second computer by clicking on "My Computer" from your desk top. Double-click the name of the second computer from the list of drives. Browse to the location where you want to store the PST file temporarily, and drag and drop the PST file directly to the new location.

4. Open Outlook on the new computer. Right click the "Inbox" link in the left hand pane of the user interface among the list of folders. Scroll down to and click "Properties." Click on "Advanced" to get the location to which the PST file needs to be copied. Navigate to the location on your computer hard drive and copy the PST file to the exact location. Close Outlook.

5. Open Outlook again on your new computer. Outlook will now open with all of your emails, contacts and calendar from the old computer.

References

• Ask Leo: How Do I Move Outlook From One Computer to Another