Whether you have a PST file that is 2 years old or 10 years old, this article will provide methods that will help you view old PST files without any problems. The techniques have very simple steps that you can easily follow.

Microsoft Outlook first appeared in the late 1990s and is still around today. Around millions of users have used this program in their day-to-day work. Throughout the years, Outlook has changed many times in terms of functions or appearances. Users who have used this program from day one have seen many different changes in those years. In addition, they have saved, imported, and exported many files as well.

The important data should be archived so that it can be accessed when needed. We know that all the data is saved in the PST file, which is known as the Outlook data file. Now, you have found your old PST file and want to read the content of it. There are methods available that can do this.

Methods to Read Old Outlook PST Files

Viewing the data in the PST file can be easily done by using Outlook. Hence, if your old file is still in good condition and you have the program, you can import it and see all the data. But if you have not installed Outlook and have the old files, then you can use a tool that specializes in viewing PST files. Therefore, there are two methods available that allow you to see old PST files.

• Import old files in Outlook and then read them.
• Use the tool to view the files if you have no Outlook program.

View Old PST Files in the Outlook Program

This method is free and very easy; you just have to go to the import option, select your old file, and open it. For better understanding, follow the steps.

1. Open the Outlook program and go to the File option.
2. Click Open and Export, then Import/Export.
3. Select Import Outlook Data File and browse the location where your old PST files are stored.
4. At last, click on the Import option, and your files are loaded in Outlook.
5. Go to the inbox folder of the program, and you can see all the data that you have imported. Select the email and read the content.

Limitations of the Manual Method

This method allows us to read our old files, but you can only use them if they are not damaged or corrupted. Not only that, there are other cases where you are not able to use this program.

• Users cannot import multiple files at the same time.
• There are not many options for doing an analysis of the file.
• It is only applicable if you are using Outlook.
• Errors can occur while importing them.

So, there are chances that you may encounter them while using this method. Despite that, there is another method that can make this much easier.

Professional Method to View Old PST Files

In this, we use a third-party tool that can view a PST file, whether it is old, new, healthy, damaged, or corrupted. It does not need Outlook, as you can directly open the file in it and view the content of the files. The FreeViewer PST Reader Tool is the software we are using in this case. The tool is available in every version of Windows, so it can easily be installed on your system. Moreover, it also provides various unique features.

Features of Software

• Provide a complete preview of your PST file, including contacts, calendars, and other data.
• It has a scanning option to scan your file if you have a corrupt file.
• You can view your file in different preview modes, like HEX, HTML, RTF, MIME, etc.
• The software maintains your folder hierarchy during the process.
• If you want, you can export your file as a PDF or print it. By adding Pro or Pro Plus editions.

Steps to View Old PST Files

1. Download and launch the software. Click on the Add File option.
2. On the Select File box, browse the location of your old files.
3. Select the Advance scan option to scan your corrupt file, and click on the Add File option.
4. The software then scans for any issues and displays your data in front of you.
5. Now, you can preview your files in HEX, HTML, MIME, etc. and also view contacts, calendars, folder lists, etc.
6. Change your view mode to horizontal and vertical by clicking the Switch View option.
7. To export the file as a PDF or print it, click on the Upgrade to Pro option.

Conclusion

This article provides you with all the methods that you can use to view old PST files. Outlook is one of the ways you can use it, but it has so many drawbacks that it is not a great way. But if you use the software, you can read your files without any mistakes. So, these are the techniques that guarantee you can read old Outlook PST files.