How to Move an Outlook PST File from OneDrive to the D Drive
Question details
The user wants to relocate a large Outlook PST data file from the synced OneDrive folder on the primary drive to a local folder on the D: drive to free up local disk space.
- Product
- Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Managing local storage when large Outlook data files synced via OneDrive consume too much space on the primary OS drive.
- Observed behavior
- The PST file takes up significant C: drive space when marked as available offline, and relocating it requires specific steps to prevent Outlook errors or cloud syncing issues.
Ensure your D: drive is formatted as NTFS, as FAT32 file systems have a 4 GB file size limit which most PST files exceed. Fully exit Microsoft Outlook and verify it is not running in the background using the Task Manager.
Safely Relocate the PST File and Update Outlook Settings
This is the standard procedure to move an active Outlook data file out of OneDrive to a new local directory.
If your PST file is currently set as online-only in OneDrive, you must make it available locally (download it entirely) before attempting to move it to the D: drive.
Exit Microsoft Outlook. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager, check the processes list, and ensure no Outlook processes are running in the background.
Open File Explorer and navigate to your D: drive. Create a new, dedicated local folder outside of any OneDrive directories.
Navigate to your OneDrive\Documents folder (or wherever the PST is stored). Cut the PST file and paste it into your newly created folder on the D: drive.
Open Outlook. A prompt will appear stating the PST file cannot be found. Click 'Browse', navigate to the new D: drive folder, select the PST file, and click 'OK'.
If Outlook opens without a prompt but displays errors, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings. Click the Data Files tab, select the moved PST file, click 'Settings' or 'Open File Location', and update the path to the D: drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I move my PST file to a FAT32 formatted drive?
FAT32 file systems have a strict maximum file size limit of 4 GB. Outlook PST files often exceed this size, causing the transfer to fail or corrupt the file. You must format the destination drive as NTFS to store large PST files safely.
What happens if I move the PST file while Outlook is still running?
The operating system will block the move because the file is actively locked by Outlook. If you forcefully move it using third-party tools, the PST file is highly likely to become corrupted and unreadable. Always close Outlook and verify via Task Manager before moving data files.
How do I download an online-only PST file from OneDrive before moving it?
Open File Explorer and locate your PST file inside the OneDrive folder. Right-click the file and select 'Always keep on this device'. Wait for the cloud icon to change to a solid green checkmark, indicating the file is fully downloaded to your local drive.
Will moving my PST file delete my old emails?
No, moving the PST file only relocates where the data is stored on your physical hard drive. As long as you correctly point Outlook to the new location on your D: drive, all your emails, contacts, and calendar events will remain intact.
