# Importing an Outlook 2007 pst file

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/importing-an-outlook-2007-pst-file/662475>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 2, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/importing-an-outlook-2007-pst-file/662475 "2013-07-02T19:50:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Latheress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/df705f/32.png) [@Latheress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latheress)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/importing-an-outlook-2007-pst-file/662475/1 "2013-07-02T19:50:50Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![lurcio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b77776/32.png) [@lurcio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lurcio)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/importing-an-outlook-2007-pst-file/662475/2 "2013-07-02T20:05:51Z")

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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](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.

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**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\
**Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/importing-an-outlook-2007-pst-file/662475/3 "2013-07-02T22:06:01Z")

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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.