How to Unlock Password Protected PST Files in Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010

Solutions to Unlock Password Protected PST Files

These are the two methods which you can use to unlock password protected PST files.

Method 1: Using Microsoft Outlook 2010

1. Open MS Outlook 2010, go to files > Account Settings > Account Settings.
2. “Account Settings” windows should appear. Go to, “Data Files” now select the path of the PST file and click on “Settings.”
3. After doing that a new window will appear as “Outlook Data File”. Navigate to the “Change Password.”

Method 2: Unlock Password Protected PST files using ‘pst19upg.exe’

Encrypting the PST files is a cool way to protect them but if you lost or forget your password. Ending losing password means losing your data, which is not good for a professional point of view. So apart from method 1, you can use Microsoft Free Utility ‘pst19upg.exe’. It can remove password from the PST file and you can download it from their official site. After downloading follow below steps to unlock password protected PST files.

1. 1. Firstly, close your Microsoft Outlook application.
   2. Now, the location of scanpst.exe tool which comes as pre-installed utility along with MS Outlook. You can find scanpst.exe in these locations:
      • In Microsoft Outlook 2002 and XP:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\\scanpst.exe

1. 1. • In Microsoft Outlook 2000:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\MAPI\\NT\scanpst.exe

1. 1. • In Microsoft Outlook 97/ 98:

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Windows Messaging\scanpst.exe

1. 2. Launch it and click on the “Repair.”

Note: Create the backup of PST files before starting this process.

1. Open CMD prompt. To open the command prompt, click on “Start window key” > “Run” or press “Window Key” + “R”.
2. Copy the path of the PST file into the command prompt.
3. Doing so will generate a PST file named as “abc.psx”, abc represent your file name.
4. Now rename this PST file to your old PST file.
5. Now type “pst19upg.exe-newfilename.psx” in command prompt and enter.
6. When everything happens perfectly, you’ll have a password-free PST file.
7. Lastly, run Scanpst.exe and repair freshly PST file.
8. Now open MS Outlook application and check whether is the file is safe.

The Major Drawback of Using pst19upg.exe

This free utility comes with a limitation. It is only functional in Microsoft Outlook 2002 and earlier versions. Which means you cannot run it into MS Outlook MS Outlook 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, and 2003. Also, it can only eradicate passwords from ANSI PST type, not from UNICODE PST.

Method 3: Third Party Tool

Outlook Password Recovery tool is the best, and most cost-effective solution to unlock all passwords protected MS Outlook PST files. No matter, how much the password is long or complex, it will recover it within a few clicks. “Simply upload the locked PST files then click on Recover button“. And you are able to open them effortlessly. It is a user-friendly, fast and very efficient tool. This tool can easily encrypt PST files in Outlook. It can effectively unlock the PST files which are created on ANSI and UNICODE created on MS Outlook 2016 and for lower versions as well.

Explore More: Change Outlook Password in Windows

Wrap Up

In this blog, we have discussed how to unlock password protected PST files using two methods and a third-party tool. The manual methods are time-consuming and work only for MS Outlook 2003 and older versions. So I would recommend using the professional PST password recovery tool to unlock PST files from MS Outlook 2016/2013/2010/2007 or older versions.

About The Author:

Simran Bhatia

Simran Bhatia is a technical content writer engaged in writing clear, concise, and SEO-optimized content. With a background in computer science and a passion for writing, I thrive to deliver complex technical content in simple layman terms.