I was trying to update to outlook 2003 format and ended up loosing my contacts, task and everything. Is there a way I can restore or recover my files back? I am using outlook 2003 standard edition for students and teachers. Help Please

For Microsoft Outlook you files will be stored in a .pst file. For Outlook Express files are stored as .dbx Do a search for .pst OR .dbx depending on what you are using. Ian Venta Sanlucar Sales

It's EXTREMELY difficult and NOT recommended to "upgrade" a pre-2003 format pst to 2003 (Uni-code format). You can indeed open your pst file in Outlook 2003 and work with it just fine, but you won't have the updated features that 2003 provides...meaning the format is going to remain non Uni-Code. Can you put in the exact steps you did? Soylent Green is PEOPLE!!!

I went into data files in Outlook and rename the .pst file to old.pst file. When I started Outlook, it says it cannot find the files and I said ok. I believe Outlook created a new folder or file for my personal files. I was to be able to either get back to my files so I can have them in Outlook. I need help how to do this. Thanks

It's not possible to rename the pst file from within Data Files in the Outlook configuration. When installing Office/Outlook 2003, no changes are necessary as far as which pst file(s) are used. After upgrading the software, the pst files will automatically open, as the path in Data Files hasn't changed. Unless of course, you moved or renamed the file(s). You need to locate your original file and make that your Mail Delivery file. If you indeed do want to use that old file as your Primary pst file. To do that, after locating the correct (old.pst) file, you can either rename it, or not. It's up to you. To make it the Primary Mail Delivery file, follow these steps. Right-Click the Outlook icon Properties Email Accounts View or Change Under "Deliver new email to the following location" click on New Outlook Data File Click on Outlook 97-2002 Personal Folders File (pst) Click OK Browse to the location of the old.pst file and select it. Click OK OK Finish Close When you open Outlook, you will get a message saying the Delivery Location has changed. That's a good thing. Close Outlook and then reopen. You will then have all your old mail. As for showing the Contacts as your Address Book, that's a separate issue, and Justin has posted my fix to that in the HowTos Section of this website.