How to Open PST File Free without Outlook in 2019
PST format has been widely used for storing emails and attachments, but now it becomes a headache for many people as for how to open PST files without Outlook. Or, even with Outlook installed, it is also not straightforward to open a PST file. If you’re one of the victims, then you have come to the right place. In this guide, you will learn how to open PST files with or without Outlook.
How Much Do You Know about PST File?
PST, short for Personal Storage Table, is a file format used to store copies of messages, calendar events, and other items within Microsoft software, such as Microsoft Exchange Client, Windows Messaging, and Microsoft Outlook.
PST makes it possible to store up to 20GB emails and attachments as one file in local storage device with encryption. It is very easy and secure to backup, transfer and move email files in PST format.
However, nowadays the email client has lost its dominance, and a lot of users find it difficult to open old PST files after moving to Gmail or other email services.
Part 1. How to Open PST File with Outlook?
Files with .PST extension is opened in the email software such as MS Outlook, MS server exchange and so on. As a matter of fact, people can not open a PST file by right-click and choose Outlook. Outlook data files must be opened from within Outlook.
Follow the steps below to open a PST file with Outlook:
- Step 1. Run Outlook program on your computer.
- Step 2. Click File on the top menu, then click Open & Export.
- Step 3. On Open screen, click the box next to Open Outlook Data File.
- Step 4. The PST file should be opened under Outlook Data File category on Home tab.
Note: If you have encrypted the PST file, Outlook will ask for the password in order to open it.
Part 2. How to Open PST File without Outlook
Outlook.com is a free email service for everyone, but the email client Outlook is usually included in the Office suit. If you don’t have Outlook installed on your computer due to any reason, then you may choose a third-party PST file viewer in order to open PST files.
There are a lot of PST file viewers available online, many of which allows viewing PST files for free while charge for advanced functions. Here we just pick a PST free viewer named PST File Viewer Tool.
We have tested the program and found it quite easy to use.
- Step 1. Download and install the PST viewer on your computer, then run it.
- Step 2. On the main screen, click Add File on the top-left corner.
- Step 3. On the new window, click Browse button, then navigate to the PST file and open it.
- Step 4. Click Add File, then the free viewer will open your PST file.
The free version only allows users to open and view PST files. More options, like advanced search, print, export and save as PDF, are exclusive for paid users.
Part 3. How to Recover Deleted PST File
If you mistakenly deleted a PST file that contains important message or information, don’t hesitate to use a data recovery software to undelete it.
iReparo for PC is a professional data recovery software for Windows and Mac computers. You can use it to restore PST files from computer hard drive, external hard drive, USB flash drive and memory card. It also supports the recovery of photo, video, audio, PDF, Office document, etc.
Steps to Recover Deleted PST File:
- Step 1. Run the PST File Recovery Software, then choose Recover File.
- Step 2. Select the partition that you deleted the PST file from, then click Advance Scan. You’ll be presented with various file types, among which you should tick PST at least, then click Scan Now to proceed.
- Step 3. Preview the PST file after scanning. It is not supported to view the content of the PST file, but you can refer to the size and date.
- Step 4. Click Recover button to retrieve deleted PST file.
Once the PST file recovery process is finished, you will be able to check it on the exported folder, then open the PST file in the above two methods.
PST file could get corrupted, especially when it has big size, due to interrupted file transfer or partially overwriting after deletion. In this case, you can try searching for PST file repair tools and see if the file can be opened.
PST file is still widely used for work, so the tips & tricks in this tutorial will play significant role when you really need to fix related issues. Feel free to share your experience with us.
