Outlook file locations

The following is a list of data store and configuration files used by Microsoft Outlook. Some of the folders might be hidden folders. To view them, do one of the following:

Show Windows XP

Click Start, and then click My Computer.
On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, click the View tab, and then click the Show hidden files and folder option.

Show Windows 2000

Double-click My Computer on your desktop.
On the Tools menu, click Folder Options, click the View tab, and then click the Show hidden files and folder option.

Your configuration may not include all of the following files. Some files are created only when you customize Outlook features.

Show Outlook data files (.pst)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Offline Folders file (.ost)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Personal Address Book (.pab)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Offline Address Books (.oab)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Command bar and menu customizations (.dat)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Navigation Pane settings (.xml)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\Outlook.xml

This file includes Shortcuts, Calendar, and Contact links.

Show Registered Microsoft Exchange extensions (.dat)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Outlook contacts nicknames (.nk2)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Rules (.rwz)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

If you upgraded from a version of Outlook prior to Outlook 2002, you may have a .rwz file on your computer hard disk drive. The file is no longer needed and the rules information is now kept on the server for Microsoft Exchange e-mail accounts, and within the personal folders file (.pst) for POP3 and IMAP e-mail accounts. You can delete the file.

If you use the rules import or export feature, the default location for .rwz files is drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\My Documents.

Show Print styles (Outlprnt with no extension)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Signatures (.rtf, .txt, .htm)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures

Show Stationary (.htm)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Stationary

Show Custom forms

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Forms

Show Dictionary (.dic)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof

Show Templates (.oft)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates

Show Send/Receive settings (.srs)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Show Message (.msg, .htm, .rtf)

drive:\Documents and Settings\<user>\My Documents