Member Avatar for mackers

I have just swapped over to a new computer and transferred my outlook files. I now however have two lots of personal folders when I open Outlook - any idea how to remove one of them please. I am using xp pro with office 2003.
Thank you.

  • 3 Contributors
  • 4 Replies
  • 228 Views
  • 1 Week Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by MartyMcFly

Dani AI

Generated

Two common causes here: your old PST was opened in addition to the profile's default store, or Outlook has the same PST mounted twice (or as an archive). was on the right track identifying which file you copied over and switching mail delivery to the PST you want to keep. is also correct that a non-default PST can usually be removed from view with a Close on its top-level folder. Below are safe, practical checks and fixes that avoid data loss.

  • Back up both .pst files before changing anything (copy the files to another drive).
  • In Outlook look at the Data Files / Account Settings area to see each store’s full path so you know which file on disk corresponds to which “Personal Folders.” Match those paths in Windows Explorer.
  • If the copy you want gone is not the default store, right‑click its root node in the folder pane and Close it. That simply unmounts it from the profile; the file stays on disk.
  • If Close/Remove is unavailable (greyed out) it’s because that store is the default. Create or select a different data file as the default delivery location (or create a fresh profile and attach only the PST you want), then close/remove the unwanted file.

If Outlook still shows two identical “Personal Folders” after those steps, one of these may be true: the same file was opened twice, an Archive.pst was added, or an IMAP/Exchange account is presenting its own store. Creating a new Outlook profile and adding just the single PST you want is the cleanest long‑term fix.

Final cautions: don’t delete any .pst from disk until you confirm its contents in Outlook (and Outlook is closed before deleting). After removing the duplicate, send/receive and spot‑check folders to ensure no mail was left behind. This preserves mail while keeping the profile tidy.

Recommended Answers

All 4 Replies

Member Avatar for zelkea

Hey Mackers,
First, name your pst file you brought over from the old machine. You should be able to tell which one this is by its location.
1. File->Data file management
2. Highlight the pst which you brought over (you should be able to determine this by its location) click Settings…
3. Now name the pst what ever you would like i.e. Primary
4. Ok and Close out of Data files

Here we will remove the unwanted pst file and set your primary pst file to receive incoming messages. If you have already had messages delivered to the default, pst move those messages your primary pst and disconnect your network cable to prevent any additional messages from coming in.


1. Tools->Email Accounts
2. Leave default "View or change...." click Next
3. Select Primary under “Deliver new email to…..”
4. Highlight the pst file you do not want and click Remove

AJZ

commented: thanks for prompt help +1
Member Avatar for mackers

Thanks for that - it seems to have put me in the right direction and I've managed to create another outlook profile and point to this one for mail delivery.

Many thanks.

Member Avatar for zelkea

No problem, thanks for posting the issue has ben resolved!

AJZ

Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

Should of been able to right-click and select close folder

Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.