when I open outlook and select contacts it doesn't find the outlook data file, I know where it is how do I browse to select it?

Lambertus Van Berkel 0 Reputation points
2026-10-13T18:58:37.1666667+00:00

when I open outlook and select contacts it doesn't find the outlook data file, I know where it is how do I browse to select it?

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home
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  1. AI answer

    2026-10-13T18:58:48.92+00:00

    In classic Outlook, browse to the .pst file by opening it directly first:

    1. Select File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
    2. Browse to the .pst file and select Open.
    3. The file will appear in the Outlook Navigation pane. Expand it to see folders, including Contacts if that .pst contains them.

    If the goal is to import the contacts into the current mailbox or profile instead of just opening the file:

    1. Select File > Open & Export > Import/Export.
    2. Choose Import from another program or file > Next.
    3. Select Outlook Data File (.pst) > Next.
    4. Select Browse to choose the .pst file.
    5. Complete the wizard and choose where to import the items.

    If the .pst location is not obvious in Windows, Outlook data files are commonly found here:

    • C:\Users\<user>\Documents\Outlook Files\archive.pst
    • C:\Users\<user>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook\archive.pst

    To check the exact file path from Outlook:

    1. Select File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
    2. Open the Data Files tab.
    3. Review the listed Outlook Data Files (.pst).

    References:

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  2. Brian Tillman 27,660 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2026-10-13T21:51:17.93+00:00

    Hi. I'm Brian.

    The AI is giving instructions that assume you are keeping your contacts in a PST file, which is usually associated with a POP account. What type of account have you been using (POP, IMAP or Exchange) and who is your mail provider - that is, what follows the @ in your address? What changed on your computer between when it worked and now?

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  3. Hornblower409 16,820 Reputation points
    2026-10-14T14:31:24.4933333+00:00

    @Lambertus Van Berkel said

    when I open outlook and select contacts it doesn't find the outlook data file, I know where it is how do I browse to select it?

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/open-and-close-outlook-data-files-pst

    or

    File -> Account Settings -> Account Settings -> | Data Files | -> [Add]

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