It is easy to manage set of data, which contains sensitive information, in a single Outlook PST File if you are utilizing IMAP settings with your Outlook account. Using Outlook itself, you may export, backup, recover, and password-protect a PST file.
In order to completely eliminate the chance of spying, many Outlook users prefer to keep their PST files password-protected. By choosing the separate data file (PST) option under settings, you can password-protect any PST file in Outlook.
The need for a solution arises in situations where you lose access to a PST file after forgetting the password you set for it. The process of re-unlocking the PST file is arduous. Take a look at the user and expert opinions listed below.
“I can’t open the PST file because I forgot the password I set on my primary account. It has bills and invoices. I try a few tricks, but nothing worked, so I’m frustrated,” a user commented on the Microsoft Community.
Under no circumstances will Microsoft support staff be able to help you bypass password-protected files and functions in Microsoft software.
Although Microsoft is unable to help you if you forget the PST file password, in this article we’ll go through several ways to gain entry to your PST file.
Remove PST passwords using the pst19upg program as a solution.
As mentioned earlier, there is no official method for opening a locked PST file. However, you can use the detailed process described below to find a potential fix for the issue. Make sure Outlook is closed and you have a backup of the locked PST file before continuing.
- Run SCANPST.EXE on the backup of the locked PST file.
Note: Find the EXE at given paths for different Outlook Versions.
- For Outlook 2007
32 Bit: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12
64 Bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
- For Outlook 2013
32 Bit: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office15
64 Bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
- For Outlook 2016
32 Bit: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
64 Bit: C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
Reminder: Avoid using the backup option in SCANPST.EXE if you are already using the backup file of the original one.
- Open the password-protected PST file by opening the ScanPST application on your computer and selecting it using the Browse button.
- Click Start once you’ve added the PST file.
- Make a backup of the scanned file before repairing is checked in the checkbox. Click Repair if the tool indicates that “errors were found in this file.”
- To close the tool when the file has been fixed, click OK.
- Start the run command now,
- In the command prompt, input the PST path as C: My Documentspst19upg.exe – user.pst.
- The PST file will be replicated and given the.psx extension. Rename the backup PST file to something that sounds like the old PST file.
- Open Outlook and import the new PST file with the password deleted.
Unfortunately, only earlier versions of software, such Outlook 2003, can support this tool.
Unlock PST files using a password
If the aforementioned workaround didn’t work as expected, you would require a more dependable solution to the issue. You should choose PST Password Recovery Tool as your best option in this situation. You may unlock PST files that are password-protected with this software. For highly encrypted PST files, it creates a new password, deletes outdated passwords, and recovers lost passwords. Additionally, it is a simple tool to use.
By using this tool, you can reset a new password and retrieve an old one in addition to removing the password from the PST file.
Here’s how to go about it:
- Download the PST Password Recovery Tool to your Windows operating system
- Introduce the application
- Enter the Outlook PST files you want to access
- Choose to delete the password for that Outlook PST file or reset the password.
- Click the “Process” button.
However, using the same application, you may also reset the PST file’s password if you so desire.
Conclusion
Here, we’ve covered how to quickly open PST files that have been password-protected. Both a manual approach using the Command Prompt and an automated method utilizing a third-party tool have been discussed. This software is a lifesaver if the PST file is password-protected and you have forgotten the password. The tool offers features like PST Password recovery and reset in addition to password removal.
