4 Steps to Relocate Your Outlook AutoArchive File

Even if you’ve manually moved the AutoArchive file to other location, Outlook will create a new archive file in the original location the next time AutoArchive runs. This article will focus on this issue and teach you how to relocate the AutoArchive file.

Virtually relocating Outlook AutoArchive file is not just moving the original PST file. It must demand 4 steps. If you also wish to relocate your default AutoArchive PST file, moving it to your customized destination folder, read on to get a feel for the elaborate 4 steps.

Step 1: Remove the AutoArchive File from Outlook

At the very outset, if you’ve opened the AutoArchive File in Outlook, the file must have been shown in the Mail navigation pane. Thus in the first step, you need to remove it from Outlook. Two means are available in this step.

1. In the Mail navigation pane, select the AutoArchive file, right click on it and choose “Close Archives” from the right clicking menu.
2. Head to “File” menu and click on “Account Settings”. In the “Account Settings” dialog box, switch to “Data Files” tab. Then select the Archive file and click “Remove” button.

Step 2: Move the AutoArchive File to your Desired Location

In this step, first of all, you need to locate the PST file in File Explorer. If you have known its location before, it would be much easier. If not, follow the guide below:

1. For a start, go to “File” > “Options”.
2. In the popup “Outlook Options” window, switch to “Advanced” tab.
3. Then find and click on “AutoArchive Settings” button.
4. In the subsequent screen, you should copy the default saving folder path.
5. Next click several “OK” to close all the dialog boxes. And remember to close Outlook application.
6. Turn to the File Explorer, and paste the path in the address bar. Press “Enter” to jump to the destination.
7. After that, you will locate the Archive file. Copy it by “Ctrl + C” and then paste it to your desired location.
8. Eventually when the file is copied to the other location, you should delete the original file or rename it.

Step 3: Re-open the AutoArchive File in Outlook

Next you should restart Outlook and open the moved Archive file in Outlook.

1. You can go to “File” > “Open” > “Open Outlook Data File”.
2. Then browse to the new location of the PST file and double click to open it.

Step 4: Change the Default Saving Location for Outlook AutoArchive File

Step 4 is the most critical step to relocate the AutoArchive file. You should change the default location. Otherwise, Outlook will create a new archive file in the original location.

1. Firstly, go to “File” > “Options” > “Advanced” > “AutoArchive Settings”.
2. Then in the dialog box of “AutoArchive”, click “Browse” button.
3. And next in the “Find Outlook Data Files”, browse to the destination folder where you previously move the Archive file.
4. Select the file and click “OK” to open it.
5. Finally click several “OK” to save the changes. Now Outlook AutoArchive file has been relocated successfully.

Use AutoArchive to Keep Your Outlook File in Small Size

Outlook files will become much easier to corrupted when they are storing too much data and in large size. Thus in order to prevent it, you can utilize Outlook AutoArchive feature to keep it in small size. Also, you can utilize a third party tool like DataNumen Outlook Repair to split a large PST file into several small ones in quick time.

Author Introduction:

Shirley Zhang is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including sql recovery and outlook repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com