What is Personal Storage Table?

A personal storage table recognized as (.pst) file, is an open proprietary based file format used to store copies of messages, appointments, contacts, calendar events and other items within Microsoft software such as Microsoft Exchange Files, Microsoft Outlook and Windows Messaging. The open format of PST file is controlled by Microsoft, that renders free specifications and free irrecoverable technology licensing. It stores a user’s Outlook data for POP3, IMAP and web based mail accounts, including all mail folders and items within the folders.

PST files are used by all versions of Microsoft Outlook, from Outlook 2000 to Outlook 2010 definition. In the earlier version of Outlook such as Outlook 2000 and Outlook 2002, pst files were stored in ANSI format and posses a maximum size of 2 GB, while the later versions of Outlook save the file in Unicode format and have storage limit up to 20 GB.