Are you trying to find where Outlook is storing your archived emails? Whether they're being auto-archived or manually moved, this guide will help you understand how archiving is set up and where to locate those emails — even if they're stored in hidden .pst files.
Step 1: Check AutoArchive Settings in Outlook
To see if AutoArchive is enabled and where emails are being stored:
? How to Access AutoArchive Settings:
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Open Microsoft Outlook.
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Click File > Options.
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In the left sidebar, go to Advanced.
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Scroll down to the AutoArchive section.
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Click AutoArchive Settings.
What to Look For:
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? "Run AutoArchive every..." – Confirms if it's enabled.
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? "Move old items to..." – Shows where your archive
.pstfile is saved. -
? Clean-out age – Defines how old an item must be to be archived.
Default PST file location:
C:\Users\<YourUsername>\Documents\Outlook Files\archive.pst
Step 2: Open the Archive File in Outlook
If emails are archived into a .pst file, Outlook may not show them unless the file is opened.
? How to Open a PST Archive:
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Go to File > Open & Export > Open Outlook Data File.
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Navigate to the archive path noted in Step 1.
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Open the
.pstfile. -
Outlook will now show a new folder set like "Archive" or "Outlook Data File" in your folder pane.
Tip: These folders may include subfolders like Inbox, Sent Items, etc., depending on how AutoArchive was configured.
Step 3: Search Archived Emails
Once the Archive is visible:
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Click on the Archive folder or any subfolder.
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Use the Search bar at the top of Outlook.
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Filter by sender, subject, date, or attachments using the built-in search tools.
Optional:
To include archive folders in global searches:
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Right-click the Archive folder > Properties.
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Enable "Include this folder in Instant Search".
Summary
| Step | Action | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Check AutoArchive Settings | See if auto-archiving is active and note the archive path |
| 2 | Open Archive PST | Load archived content into Outlook |
| 3 | Use Search Bar | Locate old emails using filters and search tools |
Bonus Tip: Outlook Web vs. Desktop
These steps are for the Windows desktop version of Outlook. If you're using Outlook Web (OWA) or Mac, let us know — the process is a bit different and We can guide you accordingly contact our support team.
