To remove password from a PST file, it is necessary to know the version of MS Outlook you are currently working on. This is because there are new features and UI differences between the new versions (Outlook 2013, 2019, and Outlook 365) and the older versions. Many users encrypt PST files to protect the confidential data stored in these files. How to make sure that encrypted PST files can be accessed at the needed time? The solution is to remove password from Outlook PST file.
Reasons to remove password from PST file
There can be personal or professional reasons why users feel the need to decrypt their PST file. Some common reasons include:
- PST password is lost or forgotten.
- Migrating PST files to a new system or environment.
- Need to access an encrypted PST file received from an external source.
- Change in company’s encryption or security policy.
- To recover or repair a corrupt PST file.
Methods to remove password from Outlook PST file
There are a few easy methods to remove password from an encrypted PST Files. Read ahead to know more about these methods in detail.
Method 1. Using pst19upg.exe to remove password from PST
Microsoft Outlook offers pst19upg.exe utility that can remove password from an encrypted PST Files easily. The steps to use this utility are given below:
Step 1: Close MS Outlook and make a copy of PST file you wish to work with.
Step 2: Run Scanpst.exe on your selected file.
Step 3: Open Command Prompt and paste PST file path to pst19up followed by Enter.
Step 4: The command line will resemble "C:\My Documents\pst19upg.exe" -x outlook.pst. This will create a copy of the PST called "filename.psx"
Step 5: Now, rename the original PST file with different name (as you wish).
Step 6: From Command Prompt, type pst19upg.exe -followed by file name and press enter.
Step 7: Here is your password-free PST file.
Step 8: Run Scanpst.exe against recovered PST and Choose repair, if prompted.
Step 9: Open the file in Outlook using File menu.
However, if you are working on versions i.e., later than 2003, then you have to follow different process. Such process is as follows:
Method 2. Use Outlook to remove password from PST
An easy way of removing password from PST file is by using Microsoft Outlook. Follow the steps to do it:
Step 1: Launch Outlook and select File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
Step 2: The Account Settings window will pop up. Now, click on Data File and select the location path where your PST file is saved. Click on Settings to open a new window.
Step 3: The new window, you can change the password. Click on ‘Change Password’ to update password of the PST file.
Step 4: Select the password as you wish and click OK.
How to remove password from PST file automatically?
If the above method doesn’t help you in recovering Outlook PST Password, then you can try a dedicated PST Password Recovery tool like Kernel Outlook PST Password Recovery tool to remove password from highly encrypted and password protected Outlook PST file. The software is specially designed to recover, remove, or set new passwords to the PST file. Also, the working process of the software is pretty smooth. Let’s have a look at it.
Step 1: Download and configure the software on your system.
Step 2: On launching the tool, click Add Files from the user interface and select the PST, and then click Remove Password.
Step 3: A pop-up will appear on the screen asking for having a backup for the file, click I have the backup, continue.
Step 4: The tool will start removing the password from the PST file. Once it is finished, a notification will appear on the screen confirming the same, click Ok.
That’s how you can easily remove the password from the Outlook PST file with the Kernel Outlook Password Recovery tool.
Conclusion
Password protection adds an additional layer of security to your PST files to prevent corruption and the risk of cyberthreats. But, it can get tricky to work with encrypted PST files sometimes if the password is forgotten or lost. Users can remove password from UNICODE PST file with the help of Microsoft Outlook as explained in this blog. There’s also a risk-free alternative to use a dedicated Password recovery tool like Kernel Outlook PST Password Recovery tool.
FAQs
Q1: How to remove password from PST file Outlook 2016?
A: Yes there’s a way to remove password from Outlook PST files using Outlook. Just go to File > Account Settings > Data Files > Select desired PST file > Settings > Change Password option. Don’t enter anything in the change password prompt to decrypt PST file.
Q2: Can I recover password of my old PST file?
A: There’s no manual way to recover old passwords of PST files. However, a dedicated PST Password Recovery tool can help with this.
Q3: Where is PST password saved?
A: PST passwords are saved in the file itself in an encrypted form.
