Does 2007 use the same PST file as 2003?

[TurboFool]

I just finished downloading the beta, but before I install I want to make
sure I'm not going to permanently remove my ability to uninstall and switch
back to 2003. I currently have a very large PST file containing all of my
data. Does Outlook 2007 use the same format, or will it modify the file,
leaving me unable to import it back into 2003 when I'm ready to downgrade or
when my beta exires?

 

[Sue Mosher [MVP-Outlook]]

Yes, the major format change was between Outlook 2002 and Outlook 2003. Outlook 2007 supports both Outlook 2003 format and the older format.

It will modify the file by adding some hidden settings, but that shouldn't hamper its compability.

--
Sue Mosher, Outlook MVP
Author of Configuring Microsoft Outlook 2003

and Microsoft Outlook Programming - Jumpstart for
Administrators, Power Users, and Developers

 

[Vince Averello [MVP-Outlook]]

As far as I can tell the PST format hasn't changed.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I just finished downloading the beta, but before I install I want to
make sure I'm not going to permanently remove my ability to uninstall
and switch back to 2003. I currently have a very large PST file
containing all of my data. Does Outlook 2007 use the same format, or
will it modify the file, leaving me unable to import it back into
2003 when I'm ready to downgrade or when my beta exires?

No version of Outlook has ever automatically modified the format of an
existing PST. Never import from or export to a PST. You lose data and
there's never a need for it.

 

[TurboFool]

No version of Outlook has ever automatically modified the format of an
existing PST. Never import from or export to a PST. You lose data and
there's never a need for it.

So in other words, just upgrading should leave it intact, and using the
usual method of deleting the default PST file and "finding" the correct one
when I downgrade should work, right?

 

[Ken Slovak - [MVP - Outlook]]

Yes, it works. I've been using the same PST files on various test machines
with versions of Outlook 2007 and 2003.

 

[Brian Tillman]

So in other words, just upgrading should leave it intact, and using
the usual method of deleting the default PST file and "finding" the
correct one when I downgrade should work, right?

Yes, but NEVER delete a PST that is currently in a mail profile and replace
it with another PST of the same name or you will probably corrupt the
profile. Always remove PSTs from profiles before manipulating them in the
Windows file system.

 

[JDJ]

Yes, but NEVER delete a PST that is currently in a mail profile and replace
it with another PST of the same name or you will probably corrupt the
profile. Always remove PSTs from profiles before manipulating them in the
Windows file system.

I have two machines both with Outlook 2003.

I have moved my Outlook.pst files from one machine to another without
doing what you suggest above.

What all is in the profile to corrupt? Obviously I have the same email
accounts on both machines.

 

[Brian Tillman]

I have two machines both with Outlook 2003.

I have moved my Outlook.pst files from one machine to another without
doing what you suggest above.

What all is in the profile to corrupt?

Pointers to the proper files.