MS Outlook

Can’t Remember Outlook Data File Password? Here’s How to Fix It

An Outlook data file password protects the PST file and stops anyone else from opening your emails, contacts, calendars, and other mailbox items. However, there are many situations where users can’t remember Outlook data file password, for reasons like an old archive file that is rarely opened, a password set by a former colleague, or a password that was changed and never written down. Since Outlook has no option to reset or recover it, users who can’t remember the password for an Outlook PST file often feel locked out of their own data. Through this write-up, we will discuss the common situations behind an Outlook data file password forgotten problem, after that we have shared free manual methods and an automated solution to access your PST file securely.

Why You Can’t Remember Outlook Data File Password?

A PST password is usually set once and then forgotten, since most people only need it when they open the file again months or even years later. This is why many users can’t remember password for Outlook PST file, even though they created it themselves. Some of the most common reasons for not able to remember password can be:

• The password was set years ago on an archive file that you rarely open.
• Someone else has created the file and never shared the password.
• The Outlook PST file password was changed at some point and never written down.
• You have received the PST file from someone else and were never given the password.

Not Able to Remember Outlook Data File Password – Try These Solutions

When you can’t remember Outlook data file password, you can’t open the PST file or access your mailbox data. To regain access we have listed 4 top solutions below:

• Outlook data file password forgotten – Use Automated Solution
• Check for password in Saved Location
• Recover the data from the server
• Restore an Unprotected Backup

Key Features of this Enterprise-Grade Solution

Here are some of the advantages of this utility which makes it more convenient and an secure choice for users looking to regain access after they can’t remember Outlook data file password:

• No Need for Outlook Installation: This software is a complete stand-alone and does not require any external installation. If your system does not have Outlook installed or configured then also this application will remove the PST password.
• Works with Multiple PST Files: This tool allows users to add multiple PST files to the software panel. The files can be added one by one via Add File option or you can browse multiple files at once through Add Folder option. Usually, when the files are added to the software panel, they are password-protected. And, the utility shows the file with a lock symbol.
• Delete Any Type of Password: Regardless of the length of the password or what type of password is set on the data file, the application will work on all. Also, passwords that contain special characters will be removed with the help of this software.
• Supports Windows & MS Outlook: This software is compatible with all the versions of the Windows operating system. Regardless of which version the user is using for this particular procedure. Furthermore, both ANSI & UNICODE type data files can be added for password elimination via this professional tool.

How to Use this Automated Tool? A Quick Guide

Get through these below-listed steps to complete this task:-

1. Firstly, Run this aforementioned tool on your system.

2. Then, add your files into the system via Add File(s) or Add Folder(s) option.

3. In the next step, you can view the status of your newly added Outlook data files.

4. At the end, you can hit the remove password button if you want to remove password when can’t remember Outlook data file password.

#2. Check For the Password in the Saved Locations

If you can’t remember Outlook data file password, look for the password in the saved locations on your computer. The following steps are given below:

1. Firstly, search your password manager and browser for entries named “Outlook,” “PST”, or the file name.
2. Then, search your email, Sent Items, Drafts, and notes for phrases like “PST password” or “data file password.“
3. Next, try the passwords you commonly used when the file was created, including variations in capitalization, numbers, and special characters.
4. Now, check older computers or Outlook profiles where you may have ticked “Save this password in your password list.”
5. After this, if the file opens there, go to File and then select Account Settings.
6. From this tab, choose Data Files option and then select the PST, and click Settings and choose Change Password to remove or change the password option.
7. At last, ask the person who created the file, and check written records such as notebooks, IT documents, or shared company files.

#3. Recover Data from the Server or OST File

When there is a situation where you can’t remember Outlook data file password, your emails may still be safe on the mail server. If the PST was created from an Exchange, Microsoft 365, IMAP, or Gmail account, Outlook can download a fresh copy of your mailbox into an OST file, which has no password. This lets you get your data back without opening the locked PST. The following steps are:

1. Sign into your email account through webmail and check that your emails are still available on the server.
2. Next, open the Outlook and then go to the File tab and choose the Account Settings option.
3. From this option, select the Show Profiles tab and click on Add to create a new profile.
4. After this, add your email account to the new profile and wait for Outlook to sync and download the mailbox into an OST file.
5. Now, go to the File tab, and choose the Open & Export option.
6. From this tab, choose Import/Export, and choose Export to a File and select Outlook Data File
7. Lastly, select the folder you need, choose a save location and click on the Finish to create a new unprotected PST file.

#4. Can’t Remember Outlook Data File Password – Restore Unprotected Backup

Sometimes you can’t remember password for Outlook PST file but still have an older copy of the file that was saved before the password was set. Many users forget that Windows backup tools, external drives, and cloud storage keep earlier versions of their files. If an unprotected copy exists, you can open it right away and move your data to a new PST with the steps given below:

1. Firstly, check external hard drives, USB drives, and NAS devices for older copies of the PST file.
2. After that, check Windows backup tools such as File History or Backup and Restore. Then, right-click the folder where your PST was stored, select Restore previous versions, and look for an older copy.
3. Next, check cloud storage such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
4. Then, right-click the PST file, then open Version history, and look for an older version.
5. After that, copy the older PST file to a new folder on your computer, so the original locked file stays untouched.
6. Next, open Outlook and go to File, then Open & Export and choose Open Outlook Data File, and select the copied file.
7. At last, if the file opens without a password prompt, move any missing emails, contacts, or calendar items to your current mailbox.

Remember: The backup must have been created before the password was set. It will only contain data up to the date it was saved, so the newer items may be missing.

Conclusion

The following article helps users to regain access to their PST files if they can’t remember Outlook data file password. Since the free methods cannot help you in the case of lost or forgotten passwords. So, it is the only option to opt for the professional utility that we have mentioned in this write-up. The software will help the users to break Outlook PST file password when forgotten.