Contractor Help Desk

How to add a Personal Folder File to Outlook

Private contractors, people with new computers or people starting new jobs, that work in Outlook, need to learn how to install personal file folders into Outlook. It isn't hard, just tricky.

Here are the steps:

1. Go into your Find feature in Explorer (not Internet Explorer, Microsoft Explorer (shortcut: Windows symbol + e)), type *.pst and Enter or if you are searching with XP and you have don't search for hidden files selected (it is a default search option in Explorer) the absolute path is probably: C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\*.pst
2. Right click on the file, click properties, and remove the Read-only checkbox. I've noticed that Microsoft's help sometimes forgets this step.
3. In your Outlook, click on the Tools menu, click Services. 4. From the Services tab, click Add. 5. In the Available Information services box, click Personal Folders, then click OK. 6. Specify the file name and location for your personal folder file, and then click Open. 7. Select the options you want (the Explorer Help for these options is pretty good).

Got cool tips? Great, I'll be happy to publish them for you here.

I hope this tip helps. If it does, please let me know. Mimi