Move Outlook data file to another location

[Sergio Neves]

I have read the following Microsoft help file:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA011124801033.aspx

It works well for the most usual cases. However I had a problem with this
method.
I use Outlook in three different computers. So I changed the data file to an
external hard disk (M so all my three outlook accounts use the same pst
file.
This works well with POP pst files. However if I have an IMAP account, for
example “AccountAâ€, Outlook creates a pst file with some strange numbers, for
example:

OutAccountA-00000008.pst

The problem is that in the three computers it creates pst files with
different names, for example:

OutAccountA-00000008.pst
OutAccountA-00000006.pst
OutAccountA-00000002.pst

The method described in the Microsoft help file works well if I change only
the location of the pst file but not the file name (IMAP data files!):

It works FROM
C:\Documents and Settings\Sergio Neves\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\OutAccountA-00000008.pst
TO
M:\Mail\ OutAccountA-00000008.pst

If DOES NOT work FROM
C:\Documents and Settings\Sergio Neves\Local Settings\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook\OutAccountA-00000008.pst
TO
M:\Mail\ OutAccountA-00000002.pst

Because when I change the file name, when I start Outlook again it does not
recognize the different filename and it automatically creates a pst file in
the default location. Since Outlook generates a random name for the IMAP pst
file in the three computers I cannot use the same pst filename for all.

I appreciate any help. Thanks!

Sergio Neves

 

[Hal Hostetler [MVP P/I]]

Since these IMAP .PST files are each a mirror image of your inbox on the
IMAP server and are, therefore, identical to each other, why bother moving
them to a network drive? Whenever you consult the IMAP server from any of
the three computers, the local IMAP .PST file syncs with the server, so
there's no chance you'll find some emails in one .PST and others in the
other .PSTs.

Hal
--
Hal Hostetler, CPBE -- (e-mail address removed)
Senior Engineer/MIS -- MS MVP-Print/Imaging -- WA7BGX
http://www.kvoa.com -- "When News breaks, we fix it!"
KVOA Television, Tucson, AZ. NBC Channel 4
Live at Hot Licks - www.badnewsbluesband.com

 

[Sergio Neves]

Hi

Sorry for my late response.
I would like to have the three computers using the same .PST files because
Outlook works faster if I have the messages completely downloaded. However,
sometimes it is a bit difficult to control which messages are downloaded and
which are not. For example, if I move the messages between IMAP folders I
have to select “Mark to download message(s)†and process marked messages.
From what I read I think it is not possible to move the .PST files so it
will have to work like that.
Thanks for the help.