Email Recovery

How to Restore Missing Emails, Contacts, and PST Folders in Outlook

Adam Davis Oct 8, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to recover missing emails, contacts, and subfolders from a local PST file after an Outlook upgrade disconnected their profile.

Product: Microsoft Outlook
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Upgrading Outlook or Microsoft 365 caused the user profile connection to drop, making existing emails and contacts disappear from the interface.
Observed behavior: Emails, contacts, and subfolders are missing from the Outlook interface, although the local PST data file remains intact on the hard drive.

Before you start

Create a backup copy of your existing PST file on your local drive before attempting to attach or modify it in Outlook to prevent accidental data corruption.

Solution 1Recommended

Attach the PST File via Outlook Account Settings

Manually reconnect the disconnected PST data file to your current Outlook profile to restore access to all local data.

PST files are local data files used by Outlook to store your emails, contacts, and calendars. They are not stored in the cloud by default.

When an Outlook upgrade occurs, it might create a new profile and disconnect your existing PST file. Reattaching this file will restore your interface exactly as it was.

Open Account Settings

Launch Outlook, click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, select 'Info', then click on 'Account Settings' and choose 'Account Settings' from the drop-down menu.

Navigate to Data Files

In the Account Settings dialog box, click on the 'Data Files' tab. This will display all the data files currently connected to your profile.

Add the PST File

Click the 'Add...' button. Browse your computer (typically the C: drive) to locate your PST file. It is often a large file that includes your email address or Windows user name.

Verify Restored Content

Select the file and click 'OK'. Close the Account Settings window. Expand the newly added folder in the left navigation pane of Outlook to confirm your emails, contacts, and subfolders have returned.

Attach the PST File via Outlook Account Settings

Data Verified: Make sure to expand the Contacts and Sent Items subfolders to confirm that all specific local data synced correctly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where are PST files typically stored on my computer?

By default, PST files are located in your 'Documents\Outlook Files' folder or under 'C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook', depending on your specific version of Outlook and Windows.

Can a PST file be used to restore missing Outlook contacts?

Yes. PST files store all types of local Outlook data, including emails, calendars, tasks, and contacts. Attaching the file will immediately restore access to all these items.

Why did my emails disappear after a Microsoft 365 upgrade?

An upgrade or reinstall can sometimes create a brand new default Outlook profile or disconnect your existing local data file. This makes it seem like your emails were deleted, even though they are still safely stored on your hard drive.

How can I easily identify my correct PST file?

Your active PST file is generally quite large (often gigabytes in size depending on your email history) and usually incorporates your email address or computer username in the file name.

Migration & Recovery