Outlook 2007 Backup and File Locations

Windows XP File Locations

Where do you find these files? You can always start by using your operating system's Search or Find command to locate the particular file types. You may need to use Tools | Folder Options | View in Windows Explorer and select Show hidden files and folders.
When using Windows 2000/XP, Outlook stores *ost, *.oab, and extend.dat in C:\Documents and Settings\\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook. Extend.dat and MSN Connector message stores can not be moved. See How to move the IMAP personal folder (*.pst) for the proper way to move IMAP and Internet Subscription folders.
All other Outlook configuration files are stored in C:\Documents and Settings\\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook and cannot be moved.

Tip: Copy and paste these lines in Windows Explorer address bar to open the folder:

To access the folder holding the toolbar, VBA, rules, and nickname files, copy and paste:

%USERPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

To see the message store files, copy and paste:

%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

Note: Storing Personal Folders on an network file share is not recommended and may cause corruption and data loss.

Type of File	Name or Extension	Outlook Profile Specific	Folder Location under the User Account path (C:\Documents and Settings\\)
Personal Folders	.pst files		Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook (default, but .pst files can be anywhere on system)
Offline and Cache folders used by Exchange server, MSN's Outlook connector.	.ost files		Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook(default, can be moved to anywhere on the system)
Nicknames for AutoComplete	.nk2 files		\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Customized print settings	OutlPrnt		\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Customized toolbar settings	Outcmd.dat		\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Macros and VBA programs	VbaProject.otm		\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Navigation bar customizations	.xml files	X	\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Send/Receive group settings	.srs files	X	\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook
Signatures	.rtf, .htm, and .txt files	X	\Application Data\Microsoft\Signatures
Stationery	.htm files		\Application Data\Microsoft\Stationery
Templates	.oft files		\Application Data\Microsoft\Templates
Dictionary	.dic files		\Application Data\Microsoft\Proof
Installed Add-ins	extend.dat		Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook Do not backup or copy this file, Outlook will create a new copy.
Safe and Blocked senders lists	Stored in mailbox as a hidden message		Can be exported from Tools, Options, Junk E-mail. Export each list separately.

Vista and Windows 7 File Locations

Where do you find these files? You can always start by using your operating system's Search or Find command to locate the particular file types. On Vista you may need to browse to Windows Explorer's Organize | Folder and Search Options | View tab and select Show hidden files and folders.
Vista replaces Documents and Settings folder path with a Users path. As a result, in Vista you'll find Outlook stores the PST and  OST, in C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook.
Live Connector message stores can not be moved but POP3 and Exchange offline or cache storage can be moved to other locations. See How to move the IMAP personal folder (*.pst) for the proper way to move IMAP and Internet Subscription folders.
All other Outlook configuration files are stored in C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook and cannot be moved.

Tip: Copy the following lines and paste into Vista's Start menu "Start Search" field to open these folders:

To access the folder holding the toolbar, VBA, send & receive settings, and nickname files, copy and paste:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook

To see the message store files, copy and paste:

%USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook

Note: Storing Personal Folders on an network file share is not recommended and may cause corruption and data loss.

Type of File	Filename or Extension	Outlook Profile Specific	Folder path under C:\Users\\AppData\
Personal Folders (including SharePoint Lists)	.pst		Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Offline and Cached mode folders used by Exchange server and the Outlook connector.	.ost		Local\Microsoft\Outlook
RSS feeds in Outlook 2007	.sharing.xml.obi	X	Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Installed Add-ins	extend.dat		\Local\Microsoft\Outlook This file does not need to be backed up, Outlook will create a new copy.
Nicknames for AutoComplete	.nk2	X	Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook
Customized print settings	OutlPrnt		Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook
Customized toolbar settings	Outcmd.dat		Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook
Navigation bar customizations	.xml files	X	Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook
Send/Receive group settings (Outlook 2002 and later)	.srs files	X	Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook
Macros and VBA programs	VbaProject.otm		Roaming\Microsoft\Outlook
Signatures	.rtf, .htm, and .txt files	X	\Roaming\Microsoft\Signatures
Stationery	.htm files		\Roaming\Microsoft\Stationery
Templates	.oft files		\Roaming\Microsoft\Templates
Dictionary	.dic files		\Roaming\Microsoft\Proof
Outlook 2007 Safe and Blocked senders lists	Stored in message store as a hidden message		Can export each list to a text file as backup. Tools, Options, Junk Email options. Export each list separately.