Recovering .pst file after upgrade to Vista

[Lonewolph]

I incorrectly backedup my .pst files before upgrading to Vista. I understand
that your old OS gets backedup during the install. Is there any way that I
can recover the correct .pst file?

 

[Pat Willener]

The PST file is not part of the OS, and therefore most likely not backed
up. However, if you did a real upgrade (don't know if this is even
possible with Vista), then your original PST file may still be in its
original location. Have you tried to locate it?

Also, how did you "incorrectly" back up the PST file? Why did it become
unusable? Maybe there is a way to recover your backup PST file?

 

[BillR [MVP]]

It should still be there. Search for it on your hard drive. It's possibly
hidden and with a .PST extension.

 

[Mick]

I incorrectly backedup my .pst files before upgrading to Vista. I
understand that your old OS gets backedup during the install. Is
there any way that I can recover the correct .pst file?

I just had this issue - all the old stuff should be in a folder on C
named Windows.old - and in here will be a copy of your old OS and
everything that was on it. I managed to locate my 'old' .pst files in
there.

Mick

--

 

[Lonewolph]

I backed up 3 .pst files that were in the folder, but unfortunately, after
doing a clean install of Vista, I found that the .pst file for my main
account was not amongst the 3 files that were there.

Thanks anyways!

 

[Lonewolph]

Hi Bill,

I found the .pst files. They are the same 4 .pst files i backed up before
upgrading. Unfortunately, all these .pst files are for older accounts, and
the most recent account which I have been using for the past year is not
among them.

Any other ideas?

 

[BillR [MVP]]

If it isn't on your drive somewhere then it is lost. It might be anywhere.
Just makes sure you search all folders and include hidden files.
If you used the Outlook backup utility then you might have a .bak file.
If you archived then you might have an archive.pst file.

 

[Lonewolph]

I searched and found no new files. Why would these four older accounts be
where they should by but not the account that was currently in use? Are there
any other extensions they may be under?

 

[BillR [MVP]]

No idea. It really should be there. No other extension used unless you
connect to Exchange - OST possible.