Open Password Protected PST File without Original Password

Learn how to open password-protected PST files safely, whether you forgot the original password, need to recover data, or can’t open the file in Outlook. Having password protected PST file and you are unable to open it. Don’t worry, just read this post and you will be able to open password protected PST file without knowing password.

PST files store Outlook emails, contacts, calendars, attachments, and other mailbox items. Outlook allows users to apply a password on PST file to prevent unauthorized access. Password protection does not encrypt or modify the content of the PST file. Instead of this, it restricts opening it.

So, if you have password protected PST file and you forget its password. The PST file becomes useless and seems to lose everything (emails, contacts, calendars, tasks, journals, attachments, etc.). But don’t worry, in this article, I will explain multiple ways to open password protected PST files.

Despite data protection from unauthorized access of the PST file by applying a password on PST file. The situation becomes worse because Microsoft Outlook does not provide any solution to reset the PST file password without knowing the original password.

In this blog, we explain solutions that work for an active password protected PST file, an orphaned password protected PST file, and PST files belonging to another user profile. Simply follow the steps and remove the PST file open restriction.

Is It Possible to Apply a Password to a PST File?

Yes, Microsoft Outlook allows users to apply a password to a PST file to prevent unauthorized access. This option is available in most Outlook versions through the Data File Settings. When a password is applied, Outlook prompts for it every time the PST file is opened.

Steps to Apply a Password to a PST File

• Launch Microsoft Outlook and Navigate to File >> Account Settings >> Account Settings
• Select the Data File tab and then choose the Outlook data file (.pst) on which you want to apply a password. After that, select the Change Password option. (Note: You cannot apply a password to Exchange-connected accounts.)
• A dialogue box will appear. Simply provide Old Password, New Password, and Verify Password.
• At last, hit OK to step password on the PST file.

Note: Outlook requires the same password each time the PST file is opened. If the password is forgotten, Microsoft Outlook does not provide any built-in option to recover or reset the PST file password.

Microsoft Guide for Forgotten Password of PST File

But don’t worry, here you will get an authentic solution to open a password-protected PST file even without knowing the password.

Method-1: Open Password Protected PST File with a Professional Tool

One of the most reliable solutions to open password protected PST file is by using a professional PST password removal tool. This approach does not require technical expertise and works even when the original password is unknown.

The software is capable of removing the forgotten password of a PST file even without Outlook installation on the same system. The user can use it to remove a forgotten password from an orphaned PST, an inaccessible PST, a corrupted PST, PST file created by another user profile.

Any Windows OS version user can use this utility and easily open password protected PST file. Simply follow the steps:

Method-2: Open Password Protected PST File Manually

Outlook is available in many versions in the market now. As you know, till Outlook 2003, an ANSI PST file was used, and after that, a UNICODE PST file was used. If your Outlook version is 2003 or earlier, then you can go with the pst19upg.exe file.

The steps listed below may be slightly different in different Outlook versions. Perform the steps carefully.

• Open the scanpst.exe file and click on the Browse button to select the password-protected file.
• Click on Start to Repair
• Tick on Make a backup of scanned file before repairing, then press Ok.
• Copy and paste the path of the PST file in the command prompt. A duplicate copy is created.
• Rename the file as ld PST file.
• Next type pst19upg.exe-filname and press enter.
• A new PST file is created without a password.
• Now, repair the file and import the new PST file into Outlook.

If your Outlook version is after 2003, then you can do it manually using some built-in options in Outlook. You have to follow some steps:-

• Open Outlook, click on File.

• Choose Account settings.

 

• Select the Data file.

• Click on the PST file which is password protected..
• Tap on Settings.

• Click on Change Password.

• Choose the new password and verify it, and then ok.

Opening password-protected files using manual methods is a tough task. It also requires so much technical knowledge. This way is only applicable for Outlook 2003 and previous versions. What if you are not so good at technical what can you do? Here is the solution for that: you can opt for another way to open a password-protected PST file.

Conclusion

Using passwords on private files is common nowadays. This is also a good approach to keep your data safe and secure. But there is a common problem of forgetting the password. As per the above discussion, if you want to open password protected file. You can use it anyway as per your requirement. It can either be manual or professional. Using the manual method, you can see how many complications can occur. But by using the tool, you can avoid those complications and easily able to open password protected PST file.