Member Avatar for Steve Pfancuff

I recently replaced an internal HDD and installed a fresh copy of Win XP. A copy of the old C drive is on an external HDD. (I should not run any executables from the old copy.) I had extensive folders and files in the Outlook Folder List on the old setup and would like to recover them to the new system from the external drive. However, I don't have the first idea on how to find or identify them. Can someone tell me the way to replace these folders and files?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by aidan29

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Brief, practical recovery plan that ties together the tips already posted by and and adds a few safe, concrete steps and cautions.

Best practice workflow (safe, non‑destructive)

  1. Make working copies of any .pst files from the external disk into a dedicated folder on the new machine (do not open or run anything from the old drive).
  2. Do not paste files directly into Outlook’s hidden profile folders. Instead, mount a copied .pst inside Outlook (use the Data Files / Open Outlook Data File option or create a separate profile that points at the copied file). Mounting lets the old mailbox be browsed and folders moved one at a time without merging or overwriting the current mailbox.
  3. If Outlook reports errors or the .pst won’t open, run Microsoft’s Inbox Repair Tool (scanpst.exe) on the copied file; work only on copies and keep originals intact.
  4. If no .pst can be found or files look deleted/corrupt, create an image of the external disk and run a reputable file‑recovery tool against the image (avoid further writes to the original drive).

Key clarifications and cautions

  • .pst is the user data file; .ost is an Exchange/IMAP cache and isn’t importable the same way — server resync or conversion tools are required for OST recovery.
  • Opening (mounting) a .pst is different from Import: Import merges data into the active profile and can create duplicates or overwrite; mounting keeps the old mailbox separate until folders are intentionally moved.
  • Always keep at least one untouched copy of the original .pst before attempting repairs or recovery tools. If a .pst is password‑protected, that password is required to open it.

Acknowledgement: ’s hidden‑folders tip is correct for locating profile data; ’s suggestion to consider recovery tools applies only after imaging and careful backup.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

Try

C:\Documents and Settings\[yourusername]\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

or

C:\Documents and Settings\[yourusername]\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Should be able to import the *.PST, or copy the files into your new profile.

GL - Dave

Member Avatar for Steve Pfancuff

Thanks, Dave. However, after [myusername], there is only one subfolder, Local Settings, which has only one subfolder, Application Data, which has only one subfolder, Microsoft. The Microsoft folder contains only one subfolder, CD Burning, which holds a copy of my Quicken backup files. There is no Outlook subfolder nor anything else. Since I could use these folders and files before the change of hard drives, they must exist somewhere else on the old drive. A search of the external HDD for *.pst and turned up archive files in My Documents, one of which may be useable as a source of the missing files. However, since they are .PST files, I can't open them to examine the contents and I don't want to overwrite the files I have in the new copy of Outlook. What will happen if I copy one of the archive files and paste it into the new Outlook? Besides, when I look in C:\Documents and Settings\[myusername]\ there is no Application Data subfolder nor a Local Settings subfolder (nor a Microsoft subfolder). Where would I put the copied file? Mystified

Member Avatar for MartyMcFly

Apologies, I should have explained further.

In My computer, under the "Tools" menu, go to "folder options". On the "View" tab, you will find the option to select either;

- "Hide hidden folders"
or
-"Show hidden folders".

Change your settings to the latter (Show), and you will see these folders.

When I said C:\.... I meant the external drive letter. You should be able to find these folders there, again they will be hidden.

____________

To import old Archive folders, close Outlook and right-click the Desktop, or Start menu Outlook icon, (only these will work), and select properties.

"Solution for ver2003"

Select "Data Files" > Add........

____

For other files (Not Archive). I Haven't tried this, but should work...

Try in Outlook, File > Import and Export > Import from another program of file > NEXT > "Personal Folder .PST" > NEXT > ..........

_____

I'm sorry for my earlier limitted responce.

Regards, David

Member Avatar for aidan29

Hello, mm in some case is better to make a backup of emails, but none of us do. So, the only way that you can recover your lost files in Outlook could be with a recovery tool.

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