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How to Break Outlook PST File Password? 3 Best Solutions

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Published By Mohit Jha
Tej Pratap Shukla
Approved By Tej Pratap Shukla
Published On September 28th, 2026
Reading Time 7 Minutes Reading

When it comes to protecting Outlook data, users often set passwords on PST files to prevent unauthorized access to emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox items. However, situations may arises when users need to break Outlook PST file password because they have forgotten the password or cannot access the required data. In such cases, knowing the suitable way to remove the password becomes important. So with the help of this article, we will discuss all the possible reasons behind PST password removal, and different methods to unlock PST file without password easily. 

Common Reasons to Crack Outlook PST File Password

There are several situations where users may not be able to access their Outlook PST files directly because the files are protected with a password. This can happen when the password is forgotten, an old PST file needs to be accessed, or Outlook data has to be migrated to another system. Here, we will take a look at some of the common situations that require users to break Outlook PST file password and understand why removing the password may become necessary for accessing important Outlook data. 

  • Forgotten PST File Password: One of the common reasons to unlock PST file without password is when users forget the password assigned to their PST file and cannot access the stored Outlook data.
  • Access Important Outlook Data: Another reason for crack Outlook PST file password is to access important Outlook data such as emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox items for personal and professional purposes.
  • Accessing Old PST Files: Users may have old PST file created on previous computers or Outlook versions, but the password required to open these files may no longer be remembered.
  • Outlook Data Migration: When moving Outlook data to another computer, profile, or email account, users may first need to remove the password protection from the PST file for easier access.
  • Employee or System Change: When PST files are transferred between employees or systems, the new user may not have the original password, which requires the need to remove the password protection from the PST file for easy access. 

How to Break Outlook PST File Password? 3 Best Solutions

Here in this section, we are going to discuss the set of methods that will help you to unlock PST file without password easily, Also here we will discuss three methods so you can choose the method as per your requirements. So, without further ado let’s move toward the solutions. 

  • Unlock PST file when you know the Password
  • Break PST File Password Using PST19upg.exe
  • Crack Forgotten Password through Expert-recommended Solution

So, without further ado let’s move toward each solution in detail.

1. Break Outlook PST File Password When you Know It


Here in this section, we are going to discuss the solution for those users who know the password of the PST file and want to remove it. But they don’t know how to remove the password.

  1. To start the process first you have to launch the Outlook application.
  2. After that click on the File option and after this tap on Account Settings.
  3. Now, again choose the Account Settings option.
  4. Now, from the Account Setting window, select the PST file you wish to unlock, and after this click on Next, and select Settings.
  5. Click the Change Password button in the Outlook Data File window.
  6. Enter your previous password in the box labeled “Old password.” Click OK after leaving the remaining fields empty.

2. Crack Outlook PST File Password Using PST19UPG.exe


PST19upg.exe is an old Microsoft utility designed for Outlook 97-2002 data files. It converts a PST file into an intermediate .psx file and then imports that data into a fresh PST file. Because the new file is created without the old settings, the password is dropped in the process. This makes it a possible way break Outlook PST file password when you have forgotten the password.

Note: This method works only if both of the following conditions are met:

  • You are using Outlook 2002 or an earlier version.
  • Your PST file is in the older ANSI format, not the Unicode format used by Outlook 2003 and later.

If you use Outlook 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365, this method will not work for your files. Please use the next method instead.

  1. Locate the password-protected PST file and create a duplicate copy. Perform the following steps on the copied file rather than the original.
  2. Keep the pst19upg.exe utility in an easily accessible folder on your computer.
  3. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter to launch Command Prompt.
  4. Use the CD command to move to the folder where pst19upg.exe and the copied PST file are stored.
  5. Run the appropriate PST19UPG command to convert the compatible PST file into the intermediate PSX format.
  6. Use the utility to convert the PSX file back into a new PST file.
  7. Then, launch Outlook and add the newly created PST file through File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File option
  8. Check whether the new PST opens without the previous password prompt and verify that your emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox items are accessible.

Note: Before trying any password-removal method, users can check whether the PST password has already been saved in Outlook. If the Outlook PST file password is known and Outlook provides the option to save it, enabling this option can prevent repeated password prompts. However, this approach does not recover a forgotten password. Therefore, users facing an Outlook PST file password forgotten situation may need to consider an alternative solution when the existing password is unavailable. 

3. Instant Way to Break Outlook PST File Password


Well, as we said that the above solution to remove passwords from the Outlook PST file is quite restricted. Like if you use the first method then you have to know the password and the second method is only for the users who are using Outlook 2002. Now, to overcome all these situations,  you can opt for a trusted solution like the PCVITA  PST Password Recovery tool.

This software offers you the facility to remove password from the PST file without entering the password of the PST file. The tool comes with the option to add files or add folders so you can add multiple PST files once using this tool and remove password from PST file. In addition, the tool also provides the feature of generating a report of the removal process. Lastly, the software supports both Windows and MacOS.

How to Break Outlook PST File Password? Working of the Tool

1. First, download and install the tool on your machine.

download and install

2. Then, click on the Add Files or Add Folder.

add file or add folder

3. After this, click on the Search Files option to browse locked PST files

click on the search file option

4. At last, click on Remove Password to break Outlook PST file password easily.

tap on remove password option

Why Choose Expert-Recommended Solution Over Manual Approaches?

Although manual techniques can be useful, they have several limitations when you need to break Outlook PST File Password

  • The Outlook-based approach requires the existing PST password, while a professional tool offers a simplified way to remove password protection when the password is forgotten.
  • The built-in Outlook option involves multiple settings, whereas the dedicated software streamlines the process through a simple interface.
  • Manual methods require familiarity with Outlook configuration, while professional software can be used with minimal technical expertise.
  • Manual solutions require much time and effort, whereas the professional solutions reduce effort and simplify the overall process in less time. 

Conclusion

Here in this blog we have discussed how to break Outlook PST file password securely. We have also discussed common reasons to crack PST file passcodes. Along with this, we have mentioned 3 solutions, which include both manual and automated ways. The manual solutions can be helpful when you know the PST file password. But if you have forgotten the password, you can use the above-mentioned utility. As it will help you to remove the forgotten password without losing important data.

  author

By Mohit Jha

Mohit is a Microsoft-certified expert who has assisted thousands of clients with Outlook & Microsoft Office 365 issues. He enjoys writing on email clients as well as data migration. He is always excited about giving troubled readers the most up-to-date knowledge, explanation, and refinements.