Multiple PST Files

[dbk]

I am running Outlook 2003 and would like to have Outlook use two
different .pst files (one for my work stuff and one for home) on the
same computer. Is it possible to do this?

If so, can I can I configure one of the pst files to get e-mail from
one account, while the other pst file is configured to get mail from
the other account?

Thanks!

-D

 

[Robert Findlay [MSFT]]

Yes it is possible to use multiple .pst files in Outlook. Here are the
steps to add .pst file:
1. Open Outlook.
2. Go to File -> New -> Outlook Data File.
3. Ensure that "Office Outlook Personal Folders File (.pst)" is selected
and Click OK.
4. In the Create or Open Outlook Data File window you can give the file a
name or simply Click OK to accept the default name (ie...Personal
Folders(2).pst).
5. On the Create Microsoft Personal Folders window you can change to name
to something descriptive like Home or Work or accept the default and Click
OK.

In order to do what you wanted next which was to have mail from one account
go to the second .pst file you would need to use a rule to have the mail
moved to the second .pst file. Here are the steps to create the rule:
1. Open Outlook.
2. Go to Tools -> Rules and Alerts.
3. Click on "New Rule".
4. Select "Start from a blank rule" and then Select "Check messages when
they arrive" and Click Next.
5. Check the box for "through the specified account".
6. Now in the lower section labeled "Step 2", Click on "specified".
7. Select the account that you want to move the mail to the second .pst
file and Click OK.
8. Click Next.
9. Check the box for "move a copy to the specified folder".
10. Now in the lower section labeled "Step 2", Click on "specified".
11. Scroll down to the second .pst file and select the "Inbox" and Click OK.
12. Click Finish.

Now all of the mail for the account you selected will first come into the
main Inbox on the original .pst file but the rule will almost immediately
move them to the second .pst files Inbox.

I hope this information is helpful.

Robert Findlay
Partner Technical Lead -- Outlook/Office Setup
Microsoft Technical Support for Platforms and Business Applications


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