Summary - Lost your Outlook PST file password? You're in good company. Most Outlook users lock their data files and subsequently cannot access them because of lost passwords. This article describes how to recover PST file password in Outlook 2016 and provides manual and automatic steps to regain access speedily and securely.
Introduction
Microsoft Outlook stores user data in PST (Personal Storage Table) files. PST files can contain emails, contacts, calendars, or other professional or personal information. To add an extra layer of protection, users sometimes password-protect their PST files. However, Outlook does not support an inbuilt password recovery tool. In case you forget the password, it becomes impossible to access your Outlook data.
Luckily, there are methods to retrieve the Outlook data file password or delete it. This article explains manual workarounds and suggests a clever, automated approach to quick recovery.
What is a PST File Password?
A PST file password is a user-specific password that the user adds to restrict access to his or her Outlook data file. It is different from your e-mail login password and cannot be accessed by Outlook servers. The password is locally stored, and after it is applied, Outlook asks for it every time the PST file is opened.
Because Microsoft doesn't provide an in-built method to recover forgotten PST passwords, users have to depend upon other methods.
Why Recover Outlook Data File Password?
It's frustrating to lose access to your PST file if it holds significant work emails or archives. You might need to recover the Outlook data file password in scenarios such as:
- You've forgotten your long-ago created password
- You're restoring data from an old backup
- You've inherited or been handed a colleague's PST file
- You're moving email to a new system or version of Outlook
- Your password manager could not store the entry
In any of these situations, recovering access in a timely manner is important.
How to Recover PST File Password in Outlook 2016
If you have lost the password for your PST file, the first thing you should attempt to do is recall or guess it. This might seem obvious, but it is incredibly effective if the password was one that you commonly used or knew.
Method 1: Attempt to Remember or Guess the Password
This may seem obvious, but trying common passwords you’ve used in the past is a basic starting point. Consider:
- Your Windows log-in password
- Work email password
- Variations of birth dates or names
- Saved entries in your password manager
This method works only if the password was something memorable and reused.
Method 2: Search for Saved Credentials
Check if the password was saved in your system:
- Open Windows Credential Manager
- Look under Windows Credentials or Generic Credentials
- Search for any reference to Outlook or PST files
This method rarely yields results, especially if the password was never saved to Windows.
Method 3: Use Old Microsoft Utility (Not Recommended)
There used to be a tool called pst19upg.exe by Microsoft that could remove passwords from older ANSI PST files. However, this method doesn’t work with Outlook 2016, which uses Unicode PST files. Additionally, the tool is no longer supported and may corrupt your data if misused.
Limitations of Manual Methods
Manual solutions are free but not dependable:
- They don’t work on modern Outlook versions like 2016 and later
- They pose a risk of corrupting your data
- There’s no guarantee of success
- They are time-consuming and involve trial and error
- They won’t work if the password was complex or randomly generated
To save time and avoid data loss, a professional solution is highly recommended.
Best Way to Recover Password: Use A Professional PST Password Recovery Tool
The simplest method of retrieving PST file password in Outlook 2016 is with the help of a reliable third-party tool. The SysTools PST Password Recovery Tool is specially developed for this intention.
Key Features:
- Instantly recovers forgotten or lost PST file password
- Supports Outlook 2016 and all other previous/next versions
- Repairs both ANSI and Unicode PST files
- Does not alter the PST file structure and contents
- Simple and user-friendly interface without requiring any technical know-how
- Does not require Outlook installation
How It Works:
- Install and run the SysTools PST Password Recovery Tool
- Load the password-locked PST file
- The software automatically locates and shows the password
- Use the password to open your Outlook data file, or delete it if necessary
- This process is quick, precise, and avoids the dangers of manual methods.
Conclusion
Forgetting the password to your Outlook PST file can interrupt your productivity. Unfortunately, there is no built-in option in Outlook 2016 for recovering that password. Guessing or checking stored credentials by manual means usually proves unsuccessful, particularly for locked or older PST files.
The most effective way is to implement a professional tool such as the above-mentioned PST Password Recovery Tool, which grants immediate access without compromising file corruption. If you're stuck on how to recover PST file password in Outlook 2016, this tool presents an easy path to regaining access to your valuable email information.
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