Importing an Outlook 2007 pst file

Factual Questions
1

My employer recently provided me with a new laptop. Prior to all my files being transferred to the new laptop, I backed up my Outlook e-mails in “personal folders” by using Outlook’s import / export function. The e-mails were backed up to a .pst file.

Now that I have my new computer, I have tried repeatedly to import that .pst file. And each time, Outlook prompts me for a password.

This is Outlook 2007 on Windows 7.

I did not set any password. When backing up my files, I was never prompted to set a password. I can’t imagine the file could be password-protected without my setting a password.

So now, I am missing a ton of important e-mails. I’ve tried using my network password. I’ve tried clicking “OK” with no password. No luck. Outlook won’t import those e-mails. Our tech support department tells me they cannot help me if I can’t recall my password (“but I never SET any password!! Argh!”)

I’ve done some Googling and found suggestions such as checking whether or not the .pst file is “read only” (it’s not) and also suggesting that I buy a password-cracking software (sketchy).

Would anyone have any suggestions as to how I might import these e-mails? I’d appreciate any advice soooo much. I would come to your house and wash dishes, clean up after your pet and possibly make pizza.

2

As per this post, have you tried “password” (without the quotes).

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2010-office_install/asking-for-password-for-current-outlookpst-file/f893b5f5-d0f0-4f35-bf60-0c05b411b63d

Could be a corrupt PST file. In which case scanpst.exe could be your friend.

3

This shows the importance of having your old laptop available for a period. If something doesn’t work on the new one, just get it off the old one, again.

By the way, I just tried doing what you said you did, using Outlook 2007, and Windows 7. When I exported the files, the program did prompt for a password to be created. I didn’t enter one, so it should be not protected, but one certainly is prompted.